The role of phytohormone on the production of berberine in the calli cultures of an endangered medicinal plant, turmeric ( Coscinium fenestratum l.)

The present report for the first time describes the results of study aimed at evaluation of the role of phytohormones on the production of berberine from in vitro calli cultures. Calli cultures derived from leaf and petiole explants were established in MS medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) plus 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and/or kinetin (KN). Berberine an isoquinoline alkaloid, was isolated from 6 - 7 week old calli cultures. Media, phytohormones, and explants used influenced the biomass and berberine content in calli cultures. Berberine with the retention time of 8.49 min and enhanced dry weight (1.788%) from the petiole explant is reported for the first time in this study. The presence of berberine was first checked by preparative thin layer chromatography (TLC) and then confirmed by High Pressure Liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry. Chemical structure was determined through proton NMR and 13C spectra.