REGENERATION OF PLANTS AND PRODUCTION OF VOLATILES FROM CALLUS-CULTURES OF MELISSA-OFFICINALIS L .2. ROOT CULTURES - GROWTH AND ACCUMULATION OF VOLATILES

Root cultures obtained from callus of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L., Lamiaceae) were cultivated under in-vitro conditions. Subsequently the volatiles obtained by hydrodistillation were analyzed qualitative ly (GC/MS) and quantitatively. During the first 70 days the root cultu res exhibit a four-fold increase of dry weight, but a six-fold increas e of volatiles. In older roots a slight decrease of the complex mixtur e was observed. Among the 30 identified and quantified components erem ophilene shows a special accumulation pattern, i.e. an earlier maximum and significant loss before 70 days. Two isomers of 2,3-dimethylcyclo hexanone were detected in a fixed ratio. Concerning amount and composi tion of volatiles (hexanal, 2-pentylfurane, 2,3-dimethylcyclohexanone, eremophilene, dehydroabietane), the root cultures were very similar t o callus cultures of Melissa. Compared with roots of intact plants a s ignifikant lack of monoterpenoids in root cultures is evident. Therefo re contact to shoot of the plant might be necessary for accumulating m onoterpenoids in the roots of this Labiatae.