Effect of chloramphenicol and kinetin on Bio-production of total alkaloid, tannin and ascorbic acid in young aerva lanata [L.] Juss. ex Schultes plants

The present work is aimed at enhancing total beta-carboline alkaloids in young Aerva lanata plants through chloramphenicol and kinetih applications as foliar spray. Chloramphenjcol [120 mg/l] and kinetin [30 mcg/l] showed beneficial effect on total alkaloid and ascorbic acid production in young plants. 'Also, it showed little effect on the production of tannin. The total alkaloid was estimated by precipitation with ammonium reineckate, while tannin and ascorbic acid were determined spectrophotometrically. The total alkaloid increased to 0.827% in root powder as compared with control [0.534%] and it also increased in stem and leaves. The yield of tannin [0.1 66%] in root powder showed very little effect when compared with control [0.148%]. The better yield of ascorbic acid [0.024%] showed in leaves as compared with control [0.018%]. Application of higher concentration of chloramphenicol caused no further increase in total alkaloid production