Changes in phospholipids, fatty acids, oxidative enzymes, phenolics and protein levels during growth of normal and habituated tissues of Cocculus pendulus.

Cultures of C. pendulus were maintained on hormone free and hormone supplemented (NAA 1.0 mg/l and kinetin 0.5 mg/l) Murashige and Skoog medium. During the growth period, hormone free cultures had higher phenolic content, polyphenol oxidase activity and less protein content, peroxidase and IAA oxidase activity. Activity of all the three oxidising enzymes and phenolic content were high at 16 days growth. Total lipid content was higher (2.7-folds at 15 days) in hormone free cultures. Phospholipid content of both cultures was not markedly dissimilar except PC and DGDG contents. Thus it is evidenced that both the tissues were similar metabolically.

Effect of anti-oxidants and adsorbents on tissue browning associated metabolism in Cocculus pendulus callus cultures.

Explants and callus of C. pendulus produced intense brown substances in the medium which caused necrosis. Various anti-oxidants (ascorbic acid, cysteine and dithiothreitol) and adsorbents (activated charcoal and polyvinyl pyrrolidone) were used in different concentrations to prevent browning of the tissues. These in MS medium affected differently the growth, colour and texture of the tissues. It was concluded that both peroxidase and phenolase were involved in the browning. Increased peroxidase activity and decreased phenolase activity were probably due to more peroxidative oxidation of phenols and unavailability of substrate for phenolase activity. This resulted in faster growth of tissues, which further reduced the phenolase activity.