Procyanidin Production by Fagopyrum esculentum Callus Culture

Abstract

Fagopyrum esculentum callus cultures grown on B5 medium synthesize procyanidins B2 (0.6-1.8 mg/g dry wt) and B2-3′-O-gallate (3.5-6.0 mg/g dry wt). Sucrose is a better source than other carbohydrates and moderate concentrations (3-4%) stimulate both growth and procyanidin synthesis. While darkness was not a limiting factor, light induced faster growth and increased procyanidin contents. Treatment with gallic acid strongly stimulated the procyanidin B2-3′-O-gallate production, but drastically inhibited growth, leading to a two-step-culture experiment combining convenient growth and increased galloylated dimer synthesis (up to 45 mg/g dry wt).

Key words

Fagopyrum esculentum - Polygonaceae - procyanidin B2 - procyanidin B2-3′-O-gallate production - proanthocyanidins - tannins - polyphenols - plant callus culture