Abstract
Moscatilin, a bibenzyl derivative (stilbenoid), mostly found in one of the largest genera of Orchidaceae; Dendrobium has many therapeutic benefits. Its function as an anticancer agent has been widely demonstrated through many research investigations. However, the compound has not been produced in vitro to date. The present study highlights the development of cultures viz., seedling generation, callus induction and callus regeneration (transformation of callus into plantlets). These cultures were devised to conserve the threatened tropical epiphytic orchid species, Dendrobium ovatum and identify their potential towards moscatilin bioproduction in vitro. Among the three culture platforms, callus-derived plantlets could yield high moscatilin when treated with l-Phenylalanine as a precursor. Tissue differentiation was found to be indispensable for the high production of this polyphenol. These cultures also offer potential commercial benefits as they can serve as appropriate platforms to decode moscatilin biosynthesis and other significant bibenzyl derivatives. Elicitors, such as chitosan, salicylic acid, and methyl jasmonate, were found, causing an enhancement in moscatilin content in the cultures. The seedlings obtained can serve towards ecorestoration and preservation of the studied species. Callogenesis was useful in plantlet regeneration, as callus-derived plantlets could be utilized for the enrichment and commercial scale-up of moscatilin-like chemicals.
Highlights
A plant in vitro system serves as a viable technique for the production of natural products
The minute seeds from the capsules were dusted in a single tissue culture vessel containing protocorm/PLB initiating medium (PPIM) (Fig. 1c) and the microscopic images of the seeds on the 0th day of seed culture were captured in the form of stereomicrographs (Fig. 1d)
It can act as a stage providing the basis for in vitro flowering in plantlets of D. ovatum, which can find its purpose in the floriculture trade
Summary
A plant in vitro system serves as a viable technique for the production of natural products. Dendrobium is one of the largest genera of Orchidaceae with ~ 1400 species, and its medicinal value, such as antibacterial, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, immunomodulation, antiangiogenic properties, have been widely reported, including their antipyretic, analgesic and tonic activities in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) (Teixeira da Silva and Ng 2017) The species under this genus have high economic worth in the horticulture and floriculture industry as hybrids, potted orchids and cut flowers. Deficient moisture content, advancing deforestation and urbanization, all these contribute to protracted seed germination diminishing the expansion of their population in the wild This is the reason in vitro propagation of Dendrobium-like-orchids through an asymbiotic approach stands essential, that can produce clonal plantlets all year round accomplishing the market needs. It has been observed that the in vitro orchid seed germination rates are more than 70%, which seldom exceed 5% in ex vitro
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