Agrica

Curcuma longa L., generally recognized as turmeric, contains a rich source of curcuminoids. Curcuminoids are polyphenolic secondary metabolites having therapeutic properties. Application of elicitors as modern biotechnological tools made it possible to boost the production of biologically active phytochemicals in in vitro plant cell cultures. This research evaluates the effect of signalling compounds (Methyl Jasmonate and Salicylic Acid) and Nanoparticles (Copper oxide, Silver and Zinc oxide) as elicitors on biomass increase and production of curcuminoids from C. longa hairy root cultures. Our study with diverse elicitors for biomass accumulation revealed that SA at 50μM concentration after 48 hours of elicitation displayed maximum fresh weight followed by Zinc oxide> Copper oxide> Silver> Methyl Jasmonate. The comparison between curcuminoid accumulation validated that hairy roots elicited with Methyl Jasmonate 200μM concentration for 48 hours had greater accumulation of curcumin which was 2.5-fold more than untreated hairy roots. Salicylic Acid with 150μM concentration at 72 hours proved to be the best elicitor for both demethoxy curcumin and bisdemethoxy curcumin accumulation. This study suggests that Methyl Jasmonate was a powerful elicitor for improved growth and curcuminoid production.