PRODUCT ENHANCEMENT AND RECOVERY FROM TRANSFORMED ROOT CULTURES OF NICOTIANA-GLAUCA

Transformed roots of Nicotiana glauca synthesize the alkaloids nicotine and anabasine at levels reflecting the parent plants. Media composition, strength, and pH were evaluated with respect to biomass yield and productivity. Full-strength Gamborg's B5 medium proved the best for biomass yield while half-strength, or low-salt, medium enhanced alkaloid accumulation. A detailed investigation of media nitrate levels demonstrated how these may be manipulated to promote growth and intracellular or extracellular alkaloid levels. High nitrate concentrations were found to significantly enhance media alkaloid levels at the end of the growth phase. Media pH is also important, although transformed roots will grow in Gamborg's B5 medium between pH 3 and 9, root biomass is favored by an increase in medium alkalinity, while alkaloid release is encouraged by mildly acidic pH. Transformed roots release a proportion of their secondary metabolites into the growth medium. By continually removing root products, any feedback inhibition on enzymatic reactions is reduced, as are the toxic effects resulting from product accumulation. In this article we describe the use of Amberlite resins (XAD-2 and XAD-4) to enhance alkaloid levels (nicotine and anabasine) of hairy root cultures of Nicotiana glauca by a factor of 10 with no adverse effect on root growth. The performance of the Amberlite columns was subsequently investigated with respect to alkaloid adsorption and desorption, including an evaluation of the effects of pH and loading capacity. The resins also adsorb media constituents which are identified and quantified as part of this work. Resulting nutritional stresses are thought to be partly responsible for enhancing secondary metabolism at the expense of biomass yield. However, the net effects of using Amberlite resins as a means of product removal significantly increases the overall product yield and the extent to which products are released into the growth medium.