Alkaloid repartition and DMSO effects on alkaloid accumulation in Catharanthus seedlings

Many studies have addressed the improvement of indole alkaloid production in Catharanthus roseus cell suspension culture, but only few of them were concerned with entire plants cultured in vitro. The aim of this work was to investigate alkaloid distribution and the influence of DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) on alkaloid accumulation in C. roseus seedlings grown in vitro. Thirty-day-old seedlings were cultured on hormone-free medium supplement ed with DMSO and analysed by HPLC and TLC. An <<abnormal>> alkaloid distribution in seedling roots was characterised by the lack of catharanthine and the presence of yohimbine for the first time. Both ajmalicine and serpentine were also observed. Vindoline and catharanthine were detected in the aerial parts. The results with DMSO showed a decrease in alkaloid accumulation in both the roots and aerial parts.