The effect of some factors on stimulating the growth and production of active substances in Zingiber officinale callus cultures

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is one of the most widely used herbs that contains several interesting bioactive constituents and possesses health promoting properties. [6]-Gingerol, a major pungent ingredient of ginger also has great potent antioxidant activity. Callus cultures of ginger were induced from shoot tip segments of auxiliary buds taken from in vitro growing rhizomes. Of different auxins tested in MS medium contents, 2,4-D was the most effective in inducing and maintaining callus cultures. BA was most effective in maintaining callus culture compared to kinetin (Kin). Also, the effect of some factors as precursors and biotic elicitors on callus growth and production of active substances were investigated. Mevalonic acid (MVA) at concentration of 1, 5 and 10 mg/l, Phenylalanine (Phe), Leucine (Leu) and Valine (Val) at 50, 100 and 150 mg/l, yeast extract (YE) and Aspergillus niger (AS) at 250, 500 and 750 mg/l showed negative effect on both callus fresh weight (FW) and callus dry weight (DW) compared to control. In the present study, it was observed that 6-gingerol production is positively influenced by the addition of MVA followed by YE in callus culture. While, the other levels of precursors and biotic elicitors did not succeed in producing either of 8-gingerol, 10-gingerol or 6-shogaol.