Effects of Salt Stress and Inoculation Ratios in Cell Cultures of Rubia tinctorum L.

Abstract

In this study, salt stress was implemented to callus and cell suspension cultures of Rubia tinctorum L. at 100 mM and 200 mM concentrations and the effects on fresh and dry weights (g), relative dry weight ratios, and alizarin and purpurin contents (mg/g dry weight) of biomass were determined. Due to an increase in salt concentrations, biomass obtained from callus and cell suspension cultures were decreased. In callus cultures, due to the low viability and proliferation rate of the callus cells, the biomass showed no significant increase. Alizarin and purpurin contents decreased as the salt concentrations in callus cultures increased, but amounts of these compounds increased in cell suspension cultures. Inoculation ratios were also found effective on fresh and dry weights, and alizarin and purpurin contents of the samples tested. 1:2 inoculation ratio caused higher alizarin and purpurin contents in cell suspension cultures, but biomass amounts were found higher at 1:4 inoculation ratio. The highest alizarin (3.183 mg/g) and purpurin (1.153 mg/g) contents were detected in the sample that had 1:2 inoculation ratios and was obtained from the medium at 200 mM NaCl concentration.

Keywords

• alizarin
• callus
• cell suspension
• purpurin
• Rubia tinctorum L.
• salt stress