Elicitation of flavonoids by Salicylic acid and <em>Penicillium expansum</em> in <em>Andrographis paniculata</em> (Burm. f.) Nees. cell culture

Abstract

Salicylic acid and Penicillium expansum extract were used as chemical and fungalelicitors to enhance the synthesis of total flavonoid content in suspension culture ofAndrographis paniculata. Salicylic acid elicitor was added in 0.05mM, 0.5mM and 1.5mMconcentrations to the cell suspension of Andrographis paniculata and studied for 24, 48 and72 hrs. of treatment duration. Similarly, 0.3%, 0.6% and 1.2% of Penicillium expansum homogenate was treated with Andrographis paniculata suspension culture for 2 days, 5 daysand 8 days. All the elicitors administered at late exponential phase (25 days old culture).Ourfindings revealed that the salicylic acid treatment for 24 hrs with 0.05 mM concentration oftreatment duration showed 1.39 fold increment in total flavonoid content (1.72 mg/g) whereas Penicillium expansum elicitor (1.2%, 2 days) indicates 1.59 fold enhancement (2.38 mg/g) ascompared to control (1.49 mg/g). This concentration and incubation period was superior toother studied concentrations and incubation periods for P. expansum elicitor. Among all thestudied elicitors, Penicillium expansum (1.2%, 2 days) was found to be superior over Salicylicacid (0.05 mM, 24 hrs).