Establishment of cell suspension cultures of Garcinia mangostana L.

A tropical medicinal fruit Garcinia mangostana L., which is highly valued for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and obesityrelated ailments, was evaluated for its response to callus culture. Immature leaf explant was inoculated on MS basal medium supplemented with 300 mgL⁻¹ glutamine, 200 mgL⁻¹ bavistin, 250 mgL⁻¹ cefotaxime, 1.0 g L⁻¹ activated carbon and different plant growth regulators (BAP, TDZ and 2, 4-D). About 74% of total explants responded for callus induction, with the highest callus frequency of 89% with 10 mgL⁻¹ 2, 4-D. The cultures were serially subcultured at 3–4 weeks interval. The friable callus obtained were transferred to liquid MS media supplemented with 10 mgL⁻¹ 2, 4-D or 1.0 mgL⁻¹ TDZ and 300 mgL⁻¹ glutamine which resulted in the production of α-and γ-mangostin, which provides a sustainable method of obtaining such xanthones.