In Vitro Micropropagation and Alkaloid Production of Galanthus transcaucasicus Fomin

Background: In this study we report the production and identification of alkaloid compounds from tissue culture derived from bulb scales of Galanthus transcaucasicus Fomin (Amaryllidaceae), a medicinally important plant. Methods: Explants were prepared from bulb scales of G. transcaucasicus in vitro. The alkaloid compounds were extracted and analyzed by GC/MS. Results: Isolation of the alkaloid fraction of the produced bulblets and its GC/MS analysis led to the identification of an Amaryllidaceae alkaloid homolycorin. Moreover, galantamine was not detected in the alkaloid fraction. Conclusion: At the present study we report the first micropropagation work on G. transcaucasicus together with the isolation of alkaloid homolycorine from in vitro produced bulblets. The results indicated that G. transcaucasicus bulblets produce Amaryllidaceae alkaloids and could be a new source of bioactive compounds for possible pharmaceutical applications. Also, described method could be used for micropropagation of plantlets from G. transcaucasicus.