Appraisal of an important flavonoid, quercetin, in callus cultures of Citrullus colocynthis.

Leaf and internode explants from in vitro grown seedlings of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schard. were used to establish callus cultures in MS media supplemented with different concentrations (ranging from 1 to 3 mg/L) and combinations of plant growth regulators like BAP with NAA, and Kin with 2, 4-D. BAP 3 mg/L and NAA 2 mg/L supported green to yellowish green embryogenic callus from internode explant with callus index of 300 and callus initiation commenced in 3 days. Leaf explant produced green callus under influence of 2, 4-D 2 mg/L and Kin 1 mg/L with callus index of 200 and callus initiation duration was 15 d. Leaf and internode tissues from in vitro grown seedlings and leaf and internode calli were analyzed for secondary metabolites through GC-MS. Nineteen compounds were detected from leaf and internode tissues. From the comparative analysis of secondary metabolites it can be concluded that regardless of a few different compounds, most of the secondary metabolites from seedlings were present in their respective calluses. © 2012 Friends Science Publishers