Efficient production of Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia L.) in vitro using a temporary immersion system

The carnivorous plant Drosera rotundifolia has been used since centuries against affections of the respiratory tract. Its spasmolytic, antibacterial and antiinflammatory properties are attributed to naphthoquinones and flavonoids [1]. In the last decades this species became very rare due to degradation of the natural habitats. The crude drug obtained from various other species is of poor quality, and adequate quantities are difficult to obtain [1]. In vitro-culture can be an alternative in that uniform plants for further field culture can be produced [2]. In addition, the contents of active compounds in material obtained in vitro can be higher than under field conditions [3]. Thus, a biotechnological approach to the production of fresh plant material (e.g. for homeopathic use) offers interesting perspectives.

Frequently, a major obstacle to a more widespread application of tissue culture for plant production is elevated costs resulting from labour [4] and expensive nutrient media. The use of temporary immersions systems with liquid nutrient medium can be highly efficient in reducing production costs. Furthermore, the overall efficiency of this micropropagation technique concerning multiplication, biomass yields, and plant quality is substantially higher than in conventional systems using semisolid media [4].

In this contribution an in vitro-culture system based on temporary immersion is presented. By adjusting frequency and duration of the immersion multiplication and biomass yield could be improved when compared to the control in submerged culture. The results indicate that this system would allow for the efficient production of plants for field culture as well as crude drug material.

References: 1. Krenn, L., Kartnig, T. (2005), Z. Phytotherapie 26: 197–202. 2. Wawrosch, C. et al. (1996), Sci. Pharm. 64: 709–717. 3. Wawrosch, C. et al. (2005), Sci. Pharm. 74: 251–262. 4. Etienne, H., Berthouly, M. (2002), Plant Cell Tissue Organ Cult. 69: 215–231.