Abstract

Inoculation of leaf sections of Datura tatula L. plants with A4 strain ofAgrobacterium rhizogenes, induced transformed roots. The rol C (root loci) gene of TL region of A. rhizogenes was detected by PCR analyses in hair roots. The conversion of exogenous p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol into p-hydroxy-methyl-phenol-β-D-glucoside (gastrodin) was studied using hairy root cultures of D. tatula L. The chemical structure of the synthesized gastrodin was identified on the basis of spectral analysis and chemical evidence. The procedure of conversion of p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol into gastrodin by D. tatula L. hairy root cultures was established. The synthesized gastrodin was isolated from the ferment liquor and identified by spectral analysis. The biotransformation of exogenous p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol to gastrodin using hairy root cultures of D. tatula L. is a promising approach.

Key words: Datura tatula L., hairy root, p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, gastrodin, biotransformation.