Regulation of metabolite production by precursors and elicitors in liquid cultures of Hypericum perforatum

Abstract

Four precursors (l-phenylalanine, l-tryptophan, cinnamic acid and emodin) and one signal elicitor (methyl jasmonate, MeJA) were added to liquid cultures of Hypericum perforatum L. to study their effect on production of hyperforin and hypericins (pseudohypericin and hypericin). The addition of l-phenylalanine (75 to 100 mg l−1) enhanced production of hypericins, but hyperforin levels were decreased. Hypericin, pseudohypericin and hyperforin concentrations were all decreased when l-tryptophan (25 to 100 mg l−1) was added to the medium. However, addition of l-tryptophan (50 mg l−1) with MeJA (100 μM) stimulated hyperforin production significantly (1.81-fold) and resulted in an increased biomass. Cinnamic acid (25, 50 mg l−1) and emodin (1.0 to 10.0 mg l−1) each enhanced hyperforin accumulation in H. perforatum, but did not affect accumulation of hypericins.