Abstract

Trans-resveratrol is a phytoalexin which was found in some grapes and in many other plants. This phenolic compound has gained much attention, as it was indicated to be associated with fungus and disease resistance. Also, it has been shown that phenols compounds could play an important role in somatic embryogenesis induction of various plants. In cotton, embryogenic structures take place in cell suspension cultures. The need of biochemical indicators for the early identification of cells capable to undergo embryogenic structures formation has always been a major concern of researchers. Trans-resveratrol was found only in embryogenic cell suspensions of Coker 312. This phenolic compound started at the first subculture (2.44 µg/g dw) and the maximum level was reached at the third subculture (7.2 µg/g dw) with an increase of nearly 295%. This study showed a correlation between trans-resveratrol synthesis in cotton cell and embryogenic structures induction. trans-resveratrol may be a phenolic indicator for is induction of cotton somatic embryogenesis.

Key words: Trans-resveratrol, suspension culture, embryogenic structures, cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L.