Abstract:

The effect of adding 2,4D, NAA, IBA, MJA and SA to cell suspension cultures on the growth, content of total saponins and ginsenoside Rb1 of Panax ginseng hairy roots were investigated. Results show that three phytohormones could improve the growth of the hairy roots and promote saponin accumulation in different degrees. Addition of IBA at the level of 0.5 mg/L could significantly promote the growth (50.73g/L per month), and saponin accumulation (saponin content of 3.31%) of the hairy roots and raise remarkably the proportion of ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1 content of 2.293%) in the total saponins. Other two elicitors could not significantly promote the growth, but, with suitable concentrations, could promote saponin accumulation of the hairy roots. The two elicitors have good synergistic effect on the saponin accumulation. With the combination of 0.001mmol/L MJA and 0.001mmol/L SA, the accumulation of total ginsenosides of the hairy roots is higher than that with either elicitor alone.

Key words: bioengineering, Panax ginseng hairy root, ginsenoside, phytohormone, elicitor