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Hyperforin production in Hypericum perforatum root cultures

Research Authors
Mariam Gaid, Paul Haas, Till Beuerle, Stephan Scholl, Ludger Beerhues
Research Department
Research Journal
Journal of biotechnology
Research Publisher
ScienceDirect
Research Rank
Impact factor 3.3
Research Vol
222
Research Website
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168165616300621
Research Year
2016
Research Member
Research_Pages
47-55
Research Abstract

Extracts of the medicinal plant Hypericum perforatum are used to treat depression and skin irritation. A major API is hyperforin, characterized by sensitivity to light, oxygen and temperature. Total synthesis of hyperforin is challenging and its content in field-grown plants is variable. We have established in vitro cultures of auxin-induced roots, which are capable of producing hyperforin, as indicated by HPLC-DAD and ESI–MS analyses. The extraction yield and the productivity upon use of petroleum ether after solvent screening were ∼5 mg/g DW and ∼50 mg/L culture after six weeks of cultivation. The root cultures also contained secohyperforin and lupulones, which were not yet detected in intact plants. In contrast, they lacked another class of typical H. perforatum constituents, hypericins, as indicated by the analysis of methanolic extracts. Hyperforins and lupulones were stabilized and enriched as dicyclohexylammonium salts. Upon up-scaling of biomass production and downstream processing, H. perforatum root cultures may provide an alternative platform for the preparation of medicinal extracts and the isolation of APIs.