Improved alkaloid content in callus culture of Catharanthus roseus

The low yield and high market price of the pharmaceutically important alkaloids of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don viz. vincristine, vinblastine and ajmalicine have created interest in improved alternative routes for their production such as using cell and tissue culture. The callus developed on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with different concentrations of auxins and cytokinins was found to have variable alkaloid contents. Combinations of auxins with cytokinins were found to be better for leaf callus growth and enhancement of alkaloid content. The highest enhancement of total alkaloid content was found in 0.50 mg/l of 2, 4-D and 1.0 mg/l of BA, compared with other combinations. Our findings indicated that in addition to plant growth regulators and strength of the MS media, various carbon sources and their concentrations had a significant influence on leaf callus growth and total alkaloid content. It was found that half strength MS basal medium supplemented with 2, 4-D and BA (0.5mg/l and 1.0 mg/l, respectively) and 6% sucrose was best for biomass production of leaf callus and enhancement of alkaloid accumulation in C. roseus.