EFFECT OF SOME NUTRITIONAL FACTORS ON MONOTERPENE SYNTHESIS IN ROSEMARINUS OFFICINALIS CULTURED IN VITRO

Authors:	Azza A. Tawfik, Paul E. Read, Susan L. Cuppett
Abstract: To determine the effect of sucrose on rosemary plants cultured in vitro, shoot tips and leaf segments were cultured on callus induction medium (CIM) supplemented with four concentrations of sucrose (10, 20, 30 and 40g/l). Sucrose had a significant effect only on -pinene and borneol levels. The highest level of -pinene was estimated to be obtained when approximately 19g sucrose/l was added to the culture medium. Increasing sucrose concentration in the medium up to 40g/l caused a decrease in borneol level in rosemary plants cultured in vitro. To determine the effect of calcium ion on the cell characteristics, essential oil yield, and monoterpene constituents, leaf segments were cultured on CIM supplemented with six concentrations of Ca²⁺. The lower concentration of calcium ion produced dark green and compact calli while the higher concentrations produced light green and friable calli. Ca²⁺ significantly affected the oil yield and camphene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, and bornyl acetate. The highest oil yield was produced from fresh callus induced on a medium supplemented with the lowest concentration of Ca²⁺.
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