A non-destructive harvesting method to produce biologically active phenolics and flavonoids of Gnidia glauca (Fresen.) Gilg

Introduction and Aim: Gnidia glauca (Fresen.) Gilg (G. glauca) is an abundant source of phenolic and flavonoid compounds with therapeutic potential, despite this very few investigations conducted for enhanced phenolic and flavonoid production by suspension culture. In the present study a non-destructive harvesting method was developed for phenolics and flavonoids production in cell suspension of G. glauca using methyl jasmonate (MeJA) as a potent elicitor for product enhancement.    Materials and Methods: cell suspension culture was initiated to evaluate the elicitor impact on cell growth, Phytochemical extraction and screening, total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant assay by 1,1 diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, was done to evaluate, its antioxidant capacity in the methyl jasmonate elicited suspension cultured sample of G. glauca.   Results: Methyl jasmonate elicitation in response to 50 µM dosage showed an increase in biomass production of phenolic compounds and flavonoids after 6 days of culture incubation.  Qualitative screening of phytoconstituents revealed the abundance of flavonoids and phenolics tannins, confirmed by UV-Visible spectrophotometry, TLC and HPLC analyses. G. glauca cell suspension culture sample showed dose dependent DPPH free radical scavenging activity compared to the respective control samples.   Conclusion: The outcome of the present study shows that G.glauca MeJA (methyl jasmonate) elicitation at 50µM dosage elicited the highest presence of phenolics and flavonoid with potential antioxidant capability. Considering the vulnerability of G.glauca as enlisted in endangered plants list, the present protocol is a non-destructive harvesting method to produce biologically active phenolics and flavonoids of the plant.