ABSTRACT
Aims: The focus of this study was to assess the production of secondary metabolites of callus derived from Jatropha curcas L. petiole explants. Study Design: Laboratory experimental tests; Tissue culture, Lyophilisation, Phytochemical Analysis, Determination of tannins by Folin-Denis method. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Phytobiology, Department of Biotechnology. General Atomic Energy Commission. Regional Center of Nuclear Studies of Kinshasa P.O BOX 868 Kin.XI DR Congo during March and June 2013. Methodology: In vitro callus cultures were initiated from petiole explants of Jatropha curcas L. on Murashige & Skoog (1962) basal medium supplemented with growth regulator formulations 4.44 μM of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), 4.92 μM of Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), and 100 ml L-1 coconut milk. Callus was lyophilized. The extracts were subjected to phytochemical tests for the presence of plant secondary metabolites. The amount of tannins was estimated by Folin-Denis method. Results: Excellent growth of callus was obtained. Callus was soft, friable, lush green in color and grew fast from 8 to 30 days of culture then stabilized at low growth rate. The results obtained by phyto-chemical tests revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids, steroids and flavonoids. The tannin contents in vitro proliferated callus, leaves, stem barks, root barks, roots and latex of J. curcas were found to be 161, 173, 220, 214, 43 and 245 μg tannic acid equivalent/g of dry weight respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study have revealed that in vitro induced callus from J. curcas petiole explants was able to produce secondary metabolites. The pharmacological activity of J. curcas reported by various researchers can be attributed to the presence of these phytochemicals.