In vitro cultures of Solanum malacoxylon Sendt.: nutritional requirements and sterol production

Abstract

Callus cultures were established from hypocotyl, root and leaf explants of Solanum malacoxylon. The growth rate of calli was evaluated on Murashige and Skoog medium as well as Gamborg's B5 medium. Sterols were isolated from calli grown on both media however the B5 proved to be more effective in promoting the production of these metabolites. No calcitriol was found in the cultures. Feeding experiments with vitamin D3 were scarcely effective in promoting the production of vitamin D3 hydroxylated metabolites.