Micropropagation and β-ecdysone content of the Brazilian ginsengs Pfaffia glomerata and Pfaffia tuberosa

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate both a mass in vitro propagation system and the β-ecdysone content in roots and aerial parts of Pfaffia glomerata and Pfaffia tuberosa. Nodal segments of two genotypes (BRA and JB-UFSM) of P. glomerata, originated from aseptically grown plants, were cultivated on hormone-free Murashige and Skoog medium. For the proliferation of P. tuberosa shoots, nodal segments, originated from aseptically grown plants, were either cultivated on hormone-free Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium or were supplemented with 1.0 µM thidiazuron (TDZ); the elongation and rooting of these plants were carried out on MS medium without TDZ. Plantlets of both species were acclimatized and transferred to field conditions. The β-ecdysone content in the plants was determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The BRA genotype showed a greater in vitro proliferation rate and β-ecdysone content than that of the JB-UFSM genotype. The culture of nodal segments of P. tuberosa on medium with 1.0 µM TDZ with subsequent subcultivation of shoots on hormone-free medium was shown to be a suitable method for micropropagation due to the high multiplication rate and good plant development. Both species showed good adaptation to ex vitro conditions. The β-ecdysone content in micropropagated P. tuberosa was similar to that found in field-grown plants. For both species, the aerial parts accumulated higher β-ecdysone content than roots. These results reveal that micropropagation is a successful, alternative method for rapid plant multiplication of both species of Brazilian ginseng. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that these two species have a potential for cultivation that is associated with high β-ecdysone production.

Photoautotrophic propagation of Brazilian ginseng [Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen]

“…Currently, the goal of some studies is to develop efficient propagation techniques to increase the production of P. glomerata, which will ensure a regular supply of high quality homogeneous raw material that is needed to meet the increasing demand for 20E (Festucci-Buselli et al 2008a, b;Flores et al 2010).…”

“…In vitro propagation is a promising alternative for providing a regular supply of high quality, disease-free and homogeneous plant material within a shorter period of time (Mosaleeyanon et al, 2004). A number of studies have evaluated factors that can affect the in vitro development of P. glomerata (Nicoloso et al 2001(Nicoloso et al , 2003Russowski and Nicoloso 2003;Skrebsky et al 2004;Maldaner et al 2007;Alves et al 2010;Flores et al 2010).…”

Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Beta-ecdysone from Brazilian Ginseng (Pfaffia glomerata) Roots

“…In addition, some Brazilian pharmaceutical manufacturers that produce phytopharmaceuticals and food supplements containing micronized roots and/or extracts of BGR report beta-ecdysone as the active compound [22].…”

Sacarose e sorbitol na conservação in vitro de Pfaffia tuberosa (Spreng.) Hicken (Amaranthaceae)

“…Adaptada às condições climáticas do sul do Brasil, esta espécie tolera bem o frio e a geada, porém se mantém bem desenvolvida e em florescimento durante a primavera e verão. Assim como outras espécies do gênero, P. tuberosa contem vários metabólitos secundários de interesse medicinal, como saponinas triterpênicas e o fitoecdisteróide -ecdisona (Nishimoto et al, 1986), o qual se encontra em maior quantidade nas partes aéreas da planta (Flores et al, 2010). Vários estudos já foram desenvolvidos tendo em vista a propagação clonal de P. tuberosa (Flores et al, 2006;2007;Flores et al, 2010), entretanto dados sobre a conservação de germoplasma da espécie são inexistentes até o momento.…”

“…Assim como outras espécies do gênero, P. tuberosa contem vários metabólitos secundários de interesse medicinal, como saponinas triterpênicas e o fitoecdisteróide -ecdisona (Nishimoto et al, 1986), o qual se encontra em maior quantidade nas partes aéreas da planta (Flores et al, 2010). Vários estudos já foram desenvolvidos tendo em vista a propagação clonal de P. tuberosa (Flores et al, 2006;2007;Flores et al, 2010), entretanto dados sobre a conservação de germoplasma da espécie são inexistentes até o momento. Desta forma, com este trabalho objetivou-se estudar o efeito de concentrações de sacarose e sorbitol na conservação in vitro dessa espécie.…”