THE EFFECT OF SUCROSE CONCENTRATION ON IN VITRO CALLOGENESIS OF GOLDEN ROOT ? ENDANGERED MEDICINAL PLANT

Rhodiola rosea is a medicinal plant, containing a range of antioxidant compounds, including p-tyrosol, organic acids (gallic acid, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid), and flavonoids (catechins and proanthocyanidins). The stimulating and adaptogenic properties of Rhodiola rosea are attributed to p-tyrosol, salidroside, rhodioniside, rhodiolin, rosin, rosavin, rosarin, and rosiridin. The recent investigations showed that sucrose influences secondary metabolism in cell, tissue and organogenic cultures. Higher sucrose levels in certain limits lead to increased production of alkaloids in in vitro cultures of various plants. The aim of this work was to study the influence of different sucrose concentrations on the process of callus formation. The nutrient medium containing different percentage of sucrose (20, 30 and 40 %) were used. Leaves excised from in vitro propagated golden root plants were plated for callus induction and maintenance. The results showed that the callogenesis of golden root plants was more effective (2 - 3 folds) when sucrose was 20 g/l compared to higher concentrations of sucrose at the background of the same combinations of plant growth regulators. The obtained calli differed in structure and color. HPLC analysis of the calli was performed.