Abstract

AGE AND SUBCULTURE INDUCED ACCUMULATION OF BOUND FLAVONOIDS IN CASSIA FISTULA LINN. CULTURES

Sushil Kumar* and Vimala Yerramilli

ABSTRACT

Alkaloids and flavonoids are among the major bioactive substances of several medicinally important plants. Cassia fistula, commonly called Indian Laburnum and Amaltas, is a medicinally important plant due to the presence of a number of flavonoids. In the present study Cassia fistula young leaf explants were cultured on 2,4-D individually and with BAP and Kn in the presence of activated charcoal and ascorbic acid to induce callus formation. The calli were subcultured in MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l 2,4,5-T and varying concentrations of BAP (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/l) allowed to age and subcultured repeatedly to investigate any associated accumulation of flavonoids in the undifferentiated calli. Interestingly, From 4 to 8 weeks and also after first through 3rd subculture on different hormone supplementations, amount of bound quercetin increased as compared to the explants. Rutin was also isolated as a novel flavonoid in Cassia fistula. Bound quercetin- like flavonoids appeared in 3rd subculture of calli on 1.0 mg/l 2,4,5-T+2.0 mg/l BAP rendering the specific medium, subculturing and aging to have cumulative significance in upscaling of important flavonol glycosides in this plant.

Keywords: Callus, Subculture, Bound Flavonoids, Secondary metabolites, Quercetin, Rutin.