Gamma radiation induced variation in growth characteristics and production of bioactive compounds during callogenesis in Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.)

Abstract

BackgroundStevia rebaudiana Bertoni is an important anti-diabetic medicinal herb containing non-caloric sweet compounds. In this study, the effect of gamma irradiation on growth kinetics and accumulation of various bioactive compounds were investigated during callogenesis. ResultsCallus was developed from leaf pieces inoculated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing combination of 6-benzyladenine (BA; 1.0mgl−1), α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), indole butyric acid (IBA) and gibberellic acid (GA3; 0.3mgl−1). After 30-days, vigorous calli were transferred to fresh medium and exposed to various gamma irradiations (5.0, 10, 15 and 20Gy). It has been observed that the increasing doses of gamma rays inhibited callus proliferation (88.61–79.16%) as compared to control (95.83%). Similarly, 10, 15 and 20Gy doses induced friable, granular and spongy callus as compared to control (compact). Furthermore, 5.0, 10 and 20Gy doses significantly reduced the fresh callus biomass (FCB), however, 15Gy dose enhanced FCB (1660mg) and dry callus biomass (DCB; 159.36mg) than control (1520; 145.92mg). The chromatographic data revealed that 15Gy dose slightly enhanced stevioside content (0.251mg/g-DCB) than control (0.232mg/g-DW), while other doses showed a negative effect on stevioside content. Higher antioxidant activity (88.73%) was observed in 20Gy treated callus cultures. However, higher total phenolic content (TPC; 43.90mg/g DCB) and total flavonoids content (TFC; 6.87mg/g DCB) were observed in 15Gy treated callus cultures. ConclusionsThe application of gamma irradiation did not show major variation in biomass and bioactive compounds production in callus cultures of S. rebaudiana.