Carbohydrate influence on polyphenol accumulation inCassia andDatura tissues culturedin vitro

Carbohydrate requirement for the growth of the cells and accumulation of polyphenols in culturedCassia fistula L. andDatura metel L. tissues were examined. Superiority of suerose over other carbohydrates was observed both for the growth of the cells and for the maximum production of phenolic compounds; and its availability was found to be a limiting factor for the synthesis of phenolic compounds. Progressive changes in the pattern of peroxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activities were followed and the relationship between the development of the enzyme activities and synthesis of polyphenols was further examined. The significance of peroxidase and PAL in the regulation of phenolic production is discussed in the light of recent findings.