Headspace ethylene accumulation effects on secondary metabolite production in Vaccinium pahalae cell culture

The influence of headspace ethylene on anthocyanin, anthocyanidin, and carotenoid accumulation was studied in suspension cultures of Vaccinium pahalae. Exogenous application of ethrel (an ethylene-releasing compound) significantly reduced growth and secondary metabolite production, whereas incorporation of 5.0 or 10.0 mg l^-1 CoCl₂ or NiCl₂ effectively reduced ethylene accumulation and improved product accumulation, but AgNO₃was toxic to cells. This study showed an overall negative impact of increased ethylene levels in the vessel headspace on phytochemical production in ohelo cell cultures.