Production of esculin by hairy root cultures of chicory (<i>Cichorium intybus </i>L.cv. Lucknow local)

Abstract

Hairy root cultures established with <i>Agrobacterium rhizogenes </i>LMG 150 of an Indian cultivar of chicory produced esculin, a dihydroxycoumarin monoglucoside used as skin protectant and a marker in microbiological media. Maximum biomass of 6.2±0.425 g/culture of transformed roots was obtained in full strength MS medium with 3% sucrose on 28th day. Esculin production was linked to growth and 100 g FW of transformed roots gave a maximum of 13.93 mg, corresponding to a ~13-fold increase as compared to that in 30-day-old non-transformed roots (0.72 mg), during the same period.