A method for cell suspension culture and plant regeneration of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels

Abstract

Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels is an edible and medicinal plant honored as “female ginseng”. It is widely used as valuable traditional Chinese medicine for over 2000 years. In the present study, an efficient procedure has been developed for establishment of cell suspension culture and plant regeneration of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. Friable Callus derived from hypocotyl was used to establish cell suspension culture. Dynamics of biomass, FA content and medium conductivity have been investigated during the growth cycle of the suspension culture. The maximum content of FA and biomass were both observed on the 16th day of the cultivation cycle. The effect of basic medium, inoculum density, initial pH, illumination and various concentrations of sucrose have been analyzed, to optimize biomass growth and FA production. The maximum biomass was obtained in ½MS medium. In response to various sucrose concentrations, cell cultures with 40 g/L sucrose produced the highest dry biomass, but the highest production of FA was obtained in medium with 30 g/L sucrose. The optimal inoculum density was 10.3925 g/L. Initial medium pH 5.0 was beneficial to biomass and FA accumulation. Illumination had no effect on biomass, but it was favorable for FA synthesis. Cells cultured over a year were transferred to ½MS medium supplemented with 10% coconut water showed embryoid formation at a frequency of 100%. The research results could provide technical support for large-scale production of cells and seedlings, genetic transformation and somatic hybridization in A. sinensis studies.