Quantification of phenols and flavonoids in callus of Psychotria erythrocarpa Schltdl

Abstract

The Rubiaceae family is characterized by the production of a great diversity of bioactive metabolites which have shown great pharmacological potential. The Psychotria genus belongs to this family. In Psychotria erythrocarpa there are no reports about the phytochemical profile and in vitro culture. Therefore, the aim of this research was to induce callus formation in P. erythrocarpa explants to determine the phenol and flavonoid content. For this purpose, stem and leaf explants were disinfected, and callus formation was induced using a multifactorial experimental design 23 evaluating the effect of naphthaleneacetic acid, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and benzylaminopurine in concentrations of 0 to 2 mg L-1. The disinfection was from 33% to 100% and there was no significant difference between the types of explants. Regarding callus formation, the best treatment was the one containing naphthaleneacetic acid and benzylaminopurine for stem explants and the treatment containing 2,4dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and benzylaminopurine for leaf explants. Stem explants showed a significant difference compared to leaf explants. Finally, the content of total phenols and flavonoids did not present a significant difference between the two types of calluses evaluated, but it was significant when compared with the control treatment. This research is the first report on the disinfection of explants for in vitro establishment, callus induction and quantification of secondary metabolites in P. erythrocarpa.