Arnebia euchroma

                 

           Shoot culture                                     histological section of shoot bud

A. euchroma shoot buds were obtained on medium containing TDZ , where as kinetin (5.0mM) was fund to be optimal for raising shoot cultures.

When callus formed on the medium containing TDZ were transferred to silver nitrate cream coloured smooth somatic embryo like structures were formed.

A new callus line was established from ex vitro leaves on MS medium supplemented with BAP and IBA. The effect of inoculum types on the production of shikonin derivatives was studied in earlier established cultures. Inoculum from solid culture gave higher yield as compared to suspension culture. Quantification of biochemical constituents showed gradual increase in the yield of shikonin derivatives up to 10 days production phase.

Shikonin biosynthesis pathway genes

In continuation to previous work, 30 partial cDNAs of cytochrome P-450 family were cloned from arnebia. A total of 8 cDNAs from colour producing and non- producing cell lines exhibited differential expression

 

Differential expression of cytochrome P-450 cDNAs. A: colour producing and B: non-colour producing