Manipulation of MS and B5 components for enhancement of growth and solasodine production in hairy root cultures of Solanum khasianum Clarke

Hairy root cultures of Solanum khasianum Clarke were studied for growth and solasodine production by manipulating the major and minor salts, Fe-EDTA and vitamins of MS and 135 medium. Tissue growth and solasodine production are strongly affected by the culture medium. The experiments demonstrated that in part the effect of each componenet of B5 and MS is dependent on the growth phase of the roots. Solasodine production increased with a decrease in total nitrogen. The ratio between ammonium nitrate and potassium nitrate was crucial. Phosphate concentration greatly influences growth, although it showed no significant affect on solasodine production. Half strength of magnesium sulphate and calcium chloride as in MS medium increased growth and solasodine production as compared to the control. This combination of the major salts with minor salts from the MS medium and chelated iron and vitamins from Gamborg's 135 medium was found to be most suitable. Hence it was possible to enhance both the specific and volumetric yield of solasodine by formulating a medium that maximized secondary metabolite production and growth in hairy root cultures. The novelty of this article lies in manipulating the components in MS medium, which supported growth, and Gamborg's 135 medium, which supported secondary product formation in hairy root cultures of S. khasianum and combining the two for maximizing both the parameters through out the growth phase. Thus it shall find immense practical applicability in hairy root scale up, where the secondary metabolite production is directly related to growth.