INVITRO PRODUCTION OF STIGMA-LIKE STRUCTURES FROM STIGMA EXPLANTS OF CROCUS-SATIVUS L

Stigma-like structures (TC stigmas) were produced in tissue cultures from stigma explants of Crocus sativus under defined conditions. MS medium supplemented with NAA (10 mg dm-3)+ BA (1.0 mg dm-3) induced the optimum response. NAA was found to be an important addendum to achieve a good response. The TC stigma regeneration response as a function of explant age showed significant differences (except between stage 1 and stage 4). A culture temperature of 20 °C seems to be better than 25 °C with reference to all parameters. Crocin and picrocrocin pigments, responsible for colour and bitter taste, respectively, were extracted, identified and quantified from the TC stigmas. Safranal was not detected in fresh samples. © 1990 Oxford University Press.