Identification of Alkaloids and Anthraquinones in Cinchona pubescens Callus Cultures; the Effect of Plant growth Regulators and Light on the Alkaloid Content

Abstract

Studies were performed on the alkaloid content of leaf and stem callus cultures of Cinchona pubescens Vahl with respect to the influence of plant growth regulators and light. The same alkaloids were found in the analysed tissues - with some quantitative differences. In general, a medium containing zeatin: 1 µM and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid: 1 µM gave a higher alkaloid production than a medium containing benzyladenine: 8.1 µM and 2,4-dichlorophentoxy acetic acid: 4.5 µM. The alkaloid production in the unorganized callus cultures was stimulated by light. Anthraquinones were found in all tissue cultures.