α-Naphthalene Acetic Acid Regulated Anthocyanins, Polyphenols and Associated Enzymes in Euphorbia heterophylla L. Seedling Explant Cultures

Stem and leaf explants of Euphorbia heterophylla L. were cultured on Murashige and Skoog's medium (MSM) supplemented with α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) at different concentrations. Fresh weight of callus from both the explants increased by augmenting NAA. However, rhizogenesis decreased as measured by the fresh weight of root mass. Anthocyanin and polyphenol accumulation, activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase decreased with elevated NAA concentration. Plantlet regeneration occurred in the absence of exogenous cytokinins. Possibility of replacing hazardous synthetic food colourants by anthocyanins produced in vitro is suggested.