Abstract

Cell line screening of Catharanthus roseus for high yield production of ajmalicine was conducted through subculturing of callus that induced from tetraploid plant leaves. The cell line was characterized as green colour with photosynthetic capacity. The content of ajmalicine reached 2.578 and 0.895 mg/g DW in callus and in cell suspension culture, respectively. The cell suspension culture treated with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) harvested a drastic increase of ajmalicine yield (2.2 mg/g DW in cell and 2 mg/L in culture medium). Therefore, the cell line had potential commercial value.

Key words: Catharanthus roseus, ajmalicine production, callus culture, cell suspension culture, methyl jasmonate.