The Influence of NAA and 2,4–D on the Steroidal Fractions of Trigonella foenum graecum Static Cultures

Abstract

Static cultures of Trigonella foenumgraecum L. were grown on Murashige and Skoog's medium with either NAA or 2,4–D as the essential growth hormone. Yields of free sterol and of bound (acid released) sterol and sapogenins were compared by GLC analysis. With NAA, sitosterol was the major sterol found; with 2,4–D the yield of stigmasterol was greater than with NAA and in some 2,4–D cultures it was the major sterol. With NAA, low but significant yields of monohydroxysapogenins were recovered whereas with 2,4–D only trace amounts were obtained; no dihydroxysapogenin was found. Seed used to initiate the cultures afforded acid released mono– and di–hydroxysapogenins, with sitosterol as the major free sterol, but no stigmasterol.

Key Word Index

Trigonella foenum graecum - Static Cultures - NAA - 2,4–D - Sterol - Sapogenin