Callus formation and production of secondary metabolites by seedling explants of Chenopodium quinoa

Abstract

QUINOA (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) which is considered a pseudocereal or pseudograin, has been originated from the Andean region in South America, and is belonging to family Amaranthaceae. The highest percentage germination of seeds was achieved in MS medium with full strength in the full strength MS medium (100%). Best callus production from seedling explants was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 2mg/L 2, 4-D+0.05mg/L Kin. Callus was also obtained when MS medium was fortified with 1mg/L NAA+0.5mg/L BA, 1mg/L 2, 4-D+0.5mg/L BA and 3mg/L PCIB. However, the percent culture response on these concentrations was lower. The lowest total amount of callus was found to be on MS medium containing 1mg/L PCIB. Callus of explants were grown on MS media with 2mg/L 2,4-D+0.05 mg/L Kin gave the significant highest value (22μg/g fresh wt) of tocopherols content, followed by seedling on half strength MS medium (15.6). While the lowest value (2.1) was observed with Callus obtained from seedling planted on MS medium contained 0.5mg L-1 NAA+0.05 mg L-1 BA. Protein extraction and enzymatic assay protein extraction and measurement of tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) activity were performed. Enzyme activity in leaves was twofold higher than that in seeds. In callus cultures, activity was about onefold lower than in leaf extracts.