Alkaloid repartition and DMSO effects on alkaloid accumulation in Catharanthus seedlings

Many studies have addressed the improvement of indole alkaloid production i n Catharanthus roseus cell suspension culture, but only few of them were co ncerned with entire plants cultured in vitro. The aim of this work was to i nvestigate alkaloid distribution and the influence of DMSO (dimethyl sulfox ide) on alkaloid accumulation in C. roseus seedlings grown in vitro. Thirty -day-old seedlings were cultured on hormone-free medium supplement ed with DMSO and analysed by HPLC and TLC. An <<abnormal>> alkaloid distribution in seedling roots was characterised by the lack of catharanthine and the pres ence of yohimbine for the first time. Both ajmalicine and serpentine were a lso observed. Vindoline and catharanthine were detected in the aerial parts . The results with DMSO showed a decrease in alkaloid accumulation in both the roots and aerial parts.