LYCOPENE CONTENT IN SEVERAL AGES OF TOMATO CALLUS (Lycopersiconesculentum Mill. cv. Rampai)

Tomato (Lycopersiconesculentum Mill. cv. Rampai) is rich in lycopene, a carotenoid group compound with many biological activities, one of which as an antioxidant. Conventional tomato cultivation not optimal due to the susceptibility plants pests and diseases, even though need for lycopene continues increase. Plant tissue culture method can be solution production. Callus Rampai was initiated from cotyledons on MS medium (Murashige& Skoog) addition 1 ppm BA (benzyladenine) 1.5 IAA (indole-3-acetic acid). aged week four weeks were harvested extracted by maceration using hexane:acetone (9:1) solvent. The presence callus confirmed TLC (thin-layer chromatography) (retention factor value/Rf = 0.56) UV-Vis spectrophotometry (wavelength that gives maximum absorbance 472 nm). Lycopene content increased increasing age directly proportional growth index. highest level found 4 weeks, 0.3094 mg/100 g dry weight callus.