Abstract

Callus tissue of Hydrocotyle bonariensis was initiated from the leaf of H. bonariensistreated with 2 mg/L 2,4-D and 1 mg/L kinetin. The culture was kept at 25°C, under light (cool white fluorescent tubes, 1200 lux). The data obtained showed that the best medium for the highest flavonoids production was in DKW basal medium. Fructose as a carbon source increased the flavonoids content by 3%. Callus treated with 2 mg/L 2,4-D in comparison with the other auxins and among the cytokinins, kinetin and thidiazuron (TDZ) at 1 mg/L enhanced the flavonoid accumulation. Higher flavonoid production was obtained in combination with the 2 mg/L 2,4-D and 1 mg/L kinetin, while the pH value which was higher than 5.7 showed inhibitory effect on flavonoids production. It was found that the highest flavonoids were produced at 16 days of culture.

Key words: Flavonoids, cell culture, media composition.