UV-C and gamma radiation mediated L-DOPA production from in-vitro cultures of Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC

This is the first report on UV-C and gamma rays mediated in-vitro elicitation of L-DOPA from Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. cell suspension cultures. Gamma and ultraviolet rays are used on plants to induce mutations which results in activation of defence cascades and production of secondary metabolites due to this abiotic stress. The in-vitro callus developed from 0.5 mg/L picloram was suspended into liquid medium and exposed to different time intervals (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min) of UV-C radiations. On the other hand, the seeds were directly exposed to different doses (25, 50, 100, 150 and 200 Gy) of gamma radiations and these irradiated seeds were grown in-vitro from which callus and cell cultures were established. From all these in-vitro cultures, the anti-Parkinson’s drug L-DOPA was quantified using HPLC. 60 and 30-minute exposure of UV-C radiations resulted in highest biomass (193.27 g/L FW) and L-DOPA production (5.13 mg/g DW) respectively both showing a 1.5-fold increase than the control. In gamma radiation studies, 100 Gy (Gy) dose showed the highest (83%) seed germination rate, 150 Gy increased the in-vitro root and shoot length, while 100 Gy increased the biomass of the cell cultures. Also, 150 Gy dose showed a 6.1, 2.6 and 2.4-fold increase in L-DOPA production in the in-vitro roots, in-vitro shoots, and cell suspension culture respectively when compared to the control. UV light exposure of 30 min and 150 Gy doses of gamma radiation showed a significant increase in L-DOPA production.