Light-induced fluctuations in biomass accumulation, secondary metabolites production and antioxidant activity in cell suspension cultures of Artemisia absinthium L.

• Cell suspension cultures of Artemisia absinthium L. under light were studied.
• Comparable biomass profiles under continuous light and dark were detected.
• Light enhanced total phenolic production and total secondary metabolites.
• Total phenolic production showed positive correlation with antioxidant activities.

Light is an important factor influencing plant morphogenesis and biochemical pathways, including biosynthesis of primary and secondary metabolites. In the present study, we investigated the differential effect of light on biomass accumulation and secondary metabolites production in cell suspension cultures of Artemisia absinthium L. A prolonged log phase of 21 days was followed by light-grown cultures. Light-grown cultures displayed 3.9-fold maximum increase (8.88 g/l) in dry biomass on day 30 of culture which was comparable to 3.7-fold maximum increase (9.2 g/l) on day 27 in dark-grown cultures. Compared to dark grown-cultures, enhanced levels of total phenolic content (5.32 mg/g DW), total phenolic production (42.96 mg/l) and total secondary metabolites (6.79 mg/g) were found in light-grown suspension cultures during the log phase of growth. Further, a positive correlation among maximum levels of antioxidant activity (63.8%), total phenolic production (42.96 mg/l) and total secondary metabolites (6.79 mg/g DW) was displayed by light-grown suspension cultures.