Mycorrhizal and pathogenic fungi as bio-elicitors for in vitro production of natural stilbenes in callus and cell suspension cultures of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Stilbenes, including resveratrol, are prominent bioactive compounds in peanuts widely recognized for their health benefits. However, limited research has focused on the production of resveratrol and its derivatives piceatannol and piceid from Arachis hypogaea. This research aims to study the production of these stilbenes using in vitro systems. Callus cultures have been established but only limited amounts of stilbenes were produced. Biotic elicitors, namely fungal culture filtrate (CF), mycelial extract (ME) and volatiles (VOCs) derived from three fungi (Serendipita indica, Fusarium solani and Alternaria alternata) were investigated in callus cultures. Based on Principal Components Analysis, 5 % v/v CF from A. alternata resulted in a significant increase in piceid pro-duction after 8 h. Similarly, 5 % v/v CF from S. indica after 16 h exhibited a notable enhancement in resveratrol and piceatannol levels. Enzyme activity of PAL and TAL was also promoted. Subsequent investigations involved establishing a cell suspension culture using CF from A. alternata and S. indica. In contrast to the callus culture, the levels of resveratrol remained comparatively lower. These results point towards a new method for piceid pro-duction using callus culture of peanuts, as well as a potential opportunity to obtain resveratrol and piceatannol via fungal elicitation.