POLYPHENOL PRODUCTION IN HAIRY ROOT CULTURES OF FRAGARIA X ANANASSA

Hairy roots of Fragaria x ananassa cv. Reikou, induced with Agrobacter ium rhizogenes ATCC 15834, grew well in hormone-free Murashige-Skoog ( MS), root culture and Gamborg B5 liquid media. Particularly, in MS med ium, hairy roots showed maximum growth (539 mg per flask, dry wt at we ek 8) producing high contents of polyphenols (especially (+)-catechin (0.59% dry wt at week 8) and procyanidin B-3 (0.80% dry wt at week 7). Polyphenol contents in the intact plant (leaf blade, petiole, calyx, receptacle and root) were also investigated.