Abstract

The present investigation assessed the effect of different wavelengths on the resveratrol content and antioxidant properties of calluses of Arachis repens (peanut grass), a species used as forage, ground cover, and ornamental. Callogenesis was achieved from stem explants excised from in vitro plants and cultured on solidified medium supplemented with thidiazuron under white, red, blue, or blue-red light-emitting diodes (LED). The highest biomass accumulation occurred under red and blue-red LED. Histological analysis revealed the simultaneous formation of adventitious buds and somatic embryos from calluses produced in response to all wavelengths tested, except for the blue-red combination, which only induced bud formation. Chromatographic analysis using HPLC showed the presence of trans-resveratrol, especially in extracts of calluses from nodal segments incubated under blue-red LED. The highest phenolic content and antioxidant potential, as determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) assay, were also found in these calluses. The results represent a promising alternative for biotechnological approaches aiming at large-scale and sustainable production of natural resveratrol and other phenolic compounds with antioxidant potential.

Key words: Antioxidants; callogenesis; chromatography; LED; peanut grass; phenolic compounds.