Mucilage Synthesis in Callus Cultures of Plantago ovata Forsk

Abstract

The seed husk of Plantago ovata known as psyllium (Isabgol) yields medicinally important mucilage. The amount of mucilage produced is about 25 % (by weight) of the total seed yield. In the present study, an attempt was made to increase the amount of mucilage through callus cultures of P. ovata. The first step involved establishment of callus cultures in P. ovata. Leaf explants from 10 to 20 day old seedlings were cultured on MS basal medium supplemented with various concentrations of different plant growth regulators. The highest rate of callus induction (89 %) was obtained on MS medium containing 0.5 mg l−1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 1.0 mg l−1 Kinetin. The mucilage content was estimated from the callus obtained in different media. The best mucilage production was obtained in the MS medium supplemented with 0.25 mg l−1 2,4-D and 0.25 mg l−1 thidiazuron. Significant differences with regard to the total mucilage content were recorded. Overall, the callus produced nearly five times more mucilage than the seeds. The present technology provides an alternative route to production of large quantities of mucilage without plants.