The effect of DL-tryptophan on callus growth and alkaloid-reserpin production of pule pandak [Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Bentham ex Kurz] in vitro

Abstract

Abstract. The purposes of this research were to study the effect of amino acid DL-tryptophan at various concentrations on culture callus growth and production of alkaloid-reserpine of Rauvolfia serpentina and to determine the optimum concentration of DL-tryptophan to yield maximum alkaloid reserpine of the callus. This research consisted of three phases. The first phase was to determine compatible sterilant for R. serpentina leaf explants. The second phase was to initiate/ induce callus formation from the explants. The third phase was the treatment phase to know the influence of DL-tryptophan addition on growth and alkaloid-reserpine production of the callus. The experimental design used was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The treatment was the concentration of the amino acid DL- tryptophan with three levels concentration by three restating for each level. The levels were 0 mg/L, 10 mg/L and 20 mg/L. Data obtained were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantitative data were wet weight, dry weight, growth rate, and alkaloid content of the callus at each concentration level. Qualitative data that have been measured were compatible with the sterilant test and callus morphology (color and texture). Quantitative data have been analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and continued with the DMRT test at level 95%. The result indicated that adding DL- tryptophan precursor reduced the callus growth of R. serpentina in media MS in vitro. The addition of DL-tryptophan precursor to produces alkaloid-reserpine of the callus of R. serpentina in media MS in vitro and the optimum concentration of DL-tryptophan precursor that must be added to yield of alkaloid-reserpine could not be determined yet; it could be caused by the alkaloid-reserpine that was not detected yet by the thin layer chromatography (TLC).