Quantitative determination of secoiridoid and gamma-pyrone compounds in Gentiana lutea cultured in vitro

The production of secondary metabolites was studied in shoots, roots, and h airy roots of Gentiana lutea obtained in vitro. In shoots, both secoiridoid and gamma-pyrone compounds were detected in amounts similar to those found in aerial parts of plants collected from nature. The most abundant secoiri doid was gentiopicrin while mangiferin was the main compound among the gamm a-pyrones. The adventitious roots obtained in vitro showed a poor biosynthe tic capacity. Upon infection with Agrobacterium rhizogenes, nine hairy root clones were established which differed in the amount of secondary metaboli tes.