Influence of Sucrose on Growth and [6]-Gingerol Production of In vitro-Grown Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe)

Abstract

The effect of sucrose on growth and [6]-gingerol production of in vitro- grown Zingiber officinale was investigated. Individual shoots from multiple shoot clumps were cultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with varying amounts of sucrose, i.e. 30, 60, 90 and 120 g/L. After three months of incubation, the growth and [6]-gingerol production of the cultures were compared. Results showed an increasing number of microrhizomes formed in response to increasing concentration of sucrose from 30-90 g/L except at a higher concentration of 120 g/L which was found to be already inhibitory. Likewise, the highest [6]-gingerol production was observed in medium supplemented with 90 g/L sucrose suggesting a positive correlation of [6]-gingerol production with the number of microrhizomes. These results suggest that sucrose concentration can be manipulated to improve [6]-gingerol production in ginger tissue culture.