Establishment of micropropagation and cell suspension culture conditions on Achyrocline flaccida (Weinm.) DC. (Asteraceae)

Abstract

Achyrocline flaccida (Weinm.) DC. (Asteraceae) is a medicinal plant species, commonly known as yellow marcela. It is a rich source of flavonoids and other secondary metabolites with antioxidant properties. Their inflorescences are used as remedies in folk medicine for the treatment of a variety of human ailments. In fact, the permanence of this species is threatened by the increased interest of medicinal herb collectors. Thus, techniques which could provide vegetative propagated material for commercial use are necessary, and in vitro-propagation is a valuable method for producing large numbers of genetically uniform, pathogen-free plants in a short time. Moreover, the production of Achyrocline secondary metabolites is crucial for research and commercial large scale production since they are controllable systems and easy to scale up. Besides productive aims, cell culture suspensions are valuable tools to investigate metabolic pathways involved in secondary metabolites synthesis and to discover new bioactive molecules. The aims of this study were the optimization of a method to propagate in vitro plant of A. flaccida and the establishment of cell suspension cultures to determine the optimal culture conditions in order to improve cell growth as a first step toward secondary metabolites production. It was concluded that DKW without growth regulators is the optimal medium for micropropagation of this species. Friable callus formation was optimized in MS supplied with 0.5 mg L^-1 2,4-D while cell suspensions were better obtained and maintained in DKW supplied with 1mg L^-1 2,4-D.