Ascorbic Acid Induces Furanocoumarin Production in Organ Cultures of Glehnia littoralis

Abstract

Exogenously supplied ascorbic acid (AsA) strongly induced furanocoumarin production in leaf and root cultures of Glehnia littoralis, but not in cell suspension cultures, after 24 h of treatment. The dose dependency showed that both organ tissues responded well to AsA supplied at concentrations of 10 – 40 mM. For induction of furanocoumarin production, roots required contact with AsA for at least 6 h and productivity markedly increased after 8 h of treatment. This is the first report of the induction of furanocoumarin biosynthesis by AsA alone and of the detection of furanocoumarin biosynthesis in a root culture system.

Abbreviations

AsA:ascorbic acid

MeJA:methyl jasmonate

IBA:Indole-3-butyric acid

MS:Murashige and Skoog

Key words

Glehnia littoralis - Apiaceae - organ culture - ascorbic acid - furanocoumarin

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