Using leaves or cotyledon as explants, we have developed a method for somatic embryogenesis in Moringa oleifera. Sections about 0.5 cm in length were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D or TDZ for inducing embryonic calli. The best embryogenic calli produced on media Hg5 and Hg7 containing 3 and 5 TDZ mg/l, respectively, with 30-gram sucrose. Callus was then transferred to differentiation medium supplemented with BA, NAA and/or ABA. Rooting occurred on medium containing 40 µg/l NAA. Cell suspension culture was initiated from leaf-derived callus on MS liquid medium supplemented with 3 mg/l TDZ. Callus showed globular and torpedo stages after 4-6 weeks incubation. This regeneration method is expected to facilitate the development of a more efficient transformation system for Moringa oleifera. In our study, we also estimated phenolic compounds and flavonoid content in seeds, leaves, and contyledon and leaf-derived callus. The highest content of phenolic compounds was observed in seeds but flavonoids highest content was observed in leaves followed by leaf derived-callus. The production of callus and cell suspension cultures in the present study can be also used in the future in the mass production of Moringa oleifera secondary compounds.
Key words: Moringa oleifera, callus, somatic embryogenesis, cell suspension, flavonoids, phenolic compounds.
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