Effect of chloramphenicol and kinetin on bio-production of total alkaloid and ascorbic acid in young celosia argentea linn. plants

Chloramphenicol and kinetin stimulated the production of alkaloids and ascorbic acid in young Celosia plants. Different concentrations of chloramphenicol and kinetin were applied as foliar spray on four weeks old plants. Chloramphenicol [120 mg/l] and kinetin [30 mcg/1] showed beneficial effect on total alkaloid and ascorbic acid production in young plants. The total alkaloid was determined by precipitation with ammonium reineckate; while the ascorbic acid was estimated colorimetrically. The total alkaloid had increased to 0.147% in root powder as compared with control [0.078%] and had also increased in stem and leaves. The better yield of ascorbic acid [0.587%] showed in leaves as compared with control [0.396%]