Accumulation of Biomass and Phenolic Compounds by Calluses Oxycoccus palustris Pers. and O. macrocarpus (Ait.) Pers. in the Presence of Different Cytokinins

Abstract

The purpose of the present work was to compare calluses of European cranberry (Oxycoccus pal-ustris Pers.) and American cranberry (O. macrocarpus (Ait.) Pers.) by their ability to accumulate biomass and phenolic compounds in the presence of different cytokinins in nutrient medium. In European cranberry, callusogenesis appeared to be more intensive upon the addition of kinetin (Kin) to the medium, while accumulation of phenolic compounds and biomass was most pronounced on the medium with isopentenyladenine (iP). In American cranberry, callusogenesis appeared to be more intensive upon the addition of iP to the medium and in respect to accumulation of biomass and phenolic compounds (in the onset of the cultivation), somewhat higher values were obtained upon addition of benzylaminopurin (BAP). Maximum of phenolic compounds accumulation was observed upon the transition of callus cultures to the stationary growth phase, during the fifth week of the passage on average, except on the medium with BAP. The content of soluble phenolic compounds in European cranberry calluses did not exceed 11 mg/g fr wt, while that in American cranberry calluses did not exceed 17 mg/g fr wt. Cranberry callus cultures under long-term cultivation displayed a decrease in the level of all groups of phenolic compounds, including flavonoids to a higher extent. For European cranberry calluses after 6–10 passages, stabilization of the secondary synthesis was noted, first of all on the medium with iP. In general, more stable accumulation of phenolic compounds in calluses of both cranberry species was observed in the presence of Kin.