Influence of chitosan,acetic acid and citric acid on growth and tropane alkaloid production in transformed roots of Brugmansia candida Effect of medium pH and growth phase

The effects of chitosan, acetic acid and citric acid on production and release of hyoscyamine and scopolamine in hairy root cultures of Brugmansia candida were studied. Chitosan and acetic acid were tested at different concentrations and also at different media pH values. At pH 5.5, and at certain concentrations, acetic acid and chitosan increased the content of root scopolamine and hyoscyamine, and promoted the release of both alkaloids. Lowering the pH to 3.5 and 4.5 reduced the accumulation of both alkaloids in the roots, but at a pH of 4.5, their release increased significantly. Acetic and citric acid stimulated the release of scopolamine and hyoscyamine. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.