Priming with CuO Nanoparticles and Ultrasound Enhanced Antioxidant Potential and Total Taxol in the Cell Suspension Culture of Corylus avellana L.

The main superiority of taxol production in hazelnuts compared to the yew tree is that hazelnut is broadly accessible, grows much faster in nature, and is easier to establish in the in vitro systems. The aim of this experiment was to improve taxol production and evaluate other characteristics of cell suspension culture treated with 4 concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6 mg L^-1) of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs), ultrasonication (30 and 60 seconds) in two sampling times (9 and 18 days after treatment). Interaction of all three factors was significant on fresh weight (FW), protein content, H2O2 generation, and taxol content. The highest fresh and dry weights (DW) and protein content were obtained from non-application treatments of CuO NPs. The content of anthocyanins, proline, antioxidant activity, and catalase and peroxidase enzymes increased with the application of silver nitrate nanoparticles. Comparing means for interaction effects showed that H2O2 and taxol content have nearly similar trend, indicating the stimulation of taxol production pathway by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Ultrasonication (US) enhanced most of the traits studied in this experiment and stimulated the antioxidant system without negatively affecting on cellular growth. The antioxidant response and taxol content evoked by stress treatments i.e. US and CuO NPs is partially relieved by increasing the duration after treatment (the 18th day after treatment).