In vitro regeneration, transplantation and phytochemical profiles of Kaempferia angustifolia Roscoe

Kaempferia angustifolia Roscoe is a medicinal plant in the family Zingiberaceae, with wild occurrence decreasing as a result of both natural and human threats. Tissue culture techniques provide an alternative method of propagation for mass production. Microshoots of K. angustifolia (1 cm in length) were cultured on MS medium supplemented with various concentrations of cytokinins (BA and Kinetin) and auxins (NAA and IAA) for 8 weeks. Phytochemical profiles were evaluated by total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), antioxidant activity (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing ⁄ antioxidant power (FRAP) assay) and Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. Maximum number of shoots was observed in medium supplemented with 2 mg/l BA plus 0.5 mg/l NAA (6.33 shoots/explant) and optimal rooting was induced in MS medium with 2 mg/l Kinetin plus 1 mg/l NAA (35.70 roots/explant). Highest numbers of shoots and roots were obtained when cultured on liquid MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l BA, 2 mg/l Kinetin and 1 mg/l NAA (8.73 shoots/explant and 29.67 roots/explant, respectively). Regenerated plantlets of K. angustifolia were transferred to pots containing different types of plant materials under natural conditions for 8 weeks. Optimal survival rate was 100% when transplanting K. angustifolia to soil, sand, soil and sand (1:1) or soil and small pieces of rock (1:1) ratio. The methanol extract of leaves K. angustifolia from natural plants and in vitro derives plants showed a significantly higher amount of TFC and antioxidant activity. GC-MS analysis identified 52 phytochemical compounds in leaves of K. angustifolia.  This study may be helpful to increase the value of commercial production of K. angustifolia, pharmaceutical and medicinal purpose.