Abstract
In vitro cultures of Berberis buxifolia were established using thidiazuron (4.5, 23 and 45 mM) or picloram (4 and 40 mM) as plant growth regulators for sustaining growth. For producing berberine, a two-stage culture was performed. In the first step, thidiazuron or picloram were used for biomass production followed by the production stage where benzylaminopurine (4.4 mM) was added as a plant growth regulator. Berberine yields (102 mg g−1 DW) and in vitro shoot cultures (200 mg g−1 DW) were significantly lower than those of whole plants in the field (416 mg g−1 DW). The highest productivity (0.18 mg 1−1 day−1) was attained using picloram (either 4 on 40 mM) in the first stage for producing biomass.
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Acknowledgements
The researchers wish to acknowledge to CONICET, Dr. Miriam Arena for providing the B. buxifolia plants, Miss Claire Velander for critical comments on the manuscript. We also thank Dr. Osvaldo H. Caso for his advice and fruitful discussions.
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Alvarez, M.A., Eraso, N.F., Pitta-Alvarez, S.I. et al. Two-stage culture for producing berberine by cell suspension and shoot cultures of Berberis buxifolia Lam. Biotechnol Lett 31, 457–463 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-008-9875-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-008-9875-2