In vitro-alkannin Production

Recently there have constant demands for natural products from plant. Accordingly, the production of these natural products with an economic cost was advised and worthwhile.Producing a valuable secondary product viatissue cultureis considered more reliable,simpler and predictablein large volumes.Alkanna is a difficult plant because of seed dormancy, it takes 4-5 years to get a raw material source.The major component is alkannin and its derivatives. They are used inpharmacology,food industry,protective propertiesand cosmetics.Alkannin pigments possess anticancer action and strong wound healing properties with no evidence of toxicity or side effects.Therefore, this study aims to produce alkannin pigment in a pure state through callus, plant cell suspension and tissue culture techniques. It focused on the possibility of adding a suitable precursor, growth regulators and sugar types at various levels, as well as the influence of light periods and explant types to get the highest production of pigment. The Chemical analysis and antimicrobial activity of alkannin was also investigated besides its stability against heat and light.