Essential oil production in cell cultures of artemisia vulgaris var. indica, cuminum cyminum, fortunella japonica, and pogostemon cablin

Abstract

Study on chemical constituents of essential oils of Artemisia vulgaris var. indica, Cuminum cyminum, Fortunella japonica, and Pogostemon cablin was done by hydrodistillation on each explant and then analysed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. It was found that individual essential oil contained terpenoid compounds of which (+)-davanone (71.59%), cuminaldehyde (36.30%), β-pinene (47.44%), d-limonene (87.07%) and patchouli alcohol (60.30%) are major consituents of leaves of Artemisia vulgaris var. indica, fruts of Cuminum cyminum, leaves of Fortunella japonica, peels of Fortunella japonica and leaves of Pogostemon cablin, respectively. In order to study chemical constituents of essential oil of these plant cell cultures, each explant was surface sterilized and callus cultures initiated on MS media containing various plant growth regulators, followed by incubation in suitable culture conditions. Cell suspension cultures were initiated by subculturing each cell cultures into new liquid media and maintained in the same conditions. Study on chemical constituents of essential oils produced by these cell cultures was done by extraction with dichloromethane and extracts analysed by Gas Chromatography and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. The results showed that essential oil obtained from these cultures had contained same major constituents as in the intact plant but the level was low, and also contained a small amount of minor constituents. Methods for improving the major constituents of these essential oils, and biotransformation of terpenoids in individual plant cell cultures, including methods for organ culture initiation for use as accumulation sites in cultures had been studied in this experiment. It was found that feeding precursors of biosynthesis and elicitation with chitosan can improve the yield of major constituents successfully, whilst other methods can improve a small amount of minor constituents.