Oxidative stress induces alkaloid production in Uncaria tomentosa root and cell cultures in bioreactors

Abstract

AbstractThe effect of oxidative stress on indole alkaloids accumulation by cell suspensions and root cultures of Uncaria tomentosa in bioreactors was investigated. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, 200 μM) added to U. tomentosa cell suspension cultures in shaken flasks induced the production of monoterpenoid oxindole alkaloids (MOA) up to 40.0 μg/L. In a stirred tank bioreactor, MOA were enhanced by exogenous H2O2 (200 μM) from no detection up to 59.3 μg/L. Root cultures grew linearly in shaken flasks with a μ=0.045 days−1 and maximum biomass of 12.08±1.24 g DW/L (at day 30). Roots accumulated 3α‐dihydrocadambine (DHC) 2354.3±244.8 μg/g DW (at day 40) and MOA 348.2±32.1 μg/g DW (at day 18). Exogenous addition of H2O2 had a differential effect on DHC and MOA production in shaken flasks. At 200 μM H2O2, MOA were enhanced by 56% and DHC by 30%; while addition of 800 and 1000 μM H2O2, reduced by 30–40% DHC accumulation without change in MOA. Root cultures in the airlift reactor produced extracellular H2O2 with a characteristic biphasic profile after changing aeration. Maximum MOA was 9.06 mg/L at day 60 while at this time roots reached ca. 1 mg/L of DHC. Intracellular H2O2 in root cultures growing in the bioreactor was 0.87 μmol/g DW compared to 0.26 μmol/g DW of shaken flasks cultures. These results were in agreement with a higher activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and peroxidase by 6‐ and 2‐times, respectively. U. tomentosa roots growing in the airlift bioreactor were exposed to an oxidative stress and their antioxidant system was active allowing them to produce oxindole alkaloids.