The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of arginine on sugarcane (Saccharum sp.) somatic embryogenesis, free polyamines and other nitrogenous compounds contents. Segments of leaves were used as explants to establish embryogenic cultures on media with 0 and 50.0 mg l -1 arginine. Somatic embryos formation and free polyamines, free proline and total soluble proteins contents were compared. Arginine significantly induced sugarcane somatic embryogenesis. Free proline and protein levels determined in embryogenic cell masses during embryo differentiation-maturation, showed an arginine-induced promotion associated to the enhancement of the embryogenic process. In addition, free putrescine and, in a minor extent, spermidine and spermine contents were enhanced by arginine.

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Morinda royoc L. (Rubiaceae) root cultures were established for the production of anthraquinones (AQs). Three independent experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of different levels of indole-3-acetic acid (0-22.8 lM), culture duration (15-75 days) and subculture number (0-4). The following indicators were recorded: root fresh weight per Erlenmeyer and intracellular and extracellular AQ production. The experiments performed in this study allowed an increase of intracellular AQ content up to a maximum of 4.5 mg g -1 of fresh mass, after 30 days of culture in a medium 5.7 lM of IAA. In addition, isolation and identification of seven AQs from M. royoc L. roots is described, one of them being reported for the first time for this species. The structures of isolated compounds were determined from 1 H-NMR data. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on AQ production from root culture of this plant.