EFFECT OF JASMONATES AND EXOGENOUS POLYSACCHARIDES ON PRODUCTION OF ALKANNIN PIGMENTS IN SUSPENSION-CULTURES OF ALKANNA-TINCTORIA

The conditions for the efficient production of alkannin pigments by a suspension culture of Alkanna tinctoria were established. Pectin, poly galacturonic acid sodium salt and galactan increased the pigment produ ction but not as much as agar did. A marked increase in the pigment co ntent in cells and medium of suspension cultures after treatment with methyl jasmonate was observed. It was shown, applying a two-layer cult ure method, that mineral and olive oils intensified the pigment secret ion from cells to the medium but did not enhance significantly their s ynthesis. Thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chroma tography methods main esters of alkannin are the characteristic colour of A. tinctoria suspension cultures.