Effect of chitosan elicitation and media components on the production of anthraquinone colorants in madder (Rubia akane Nakai) cell culture

To increase the production of anthraquinone colorants in madder (Rubia akane Nakai) cell culture, the effects of elicitation on the colorant production were investigated. Chitosan was the best biotic elicitor among nine plant derived and microbial derived polysaccharides. When elicited with 25 mg/L chitosan, the total production was increased approximately two times in a seven-day culture as compared to that in the unelicited cells. Anthraquinone production was increased in proportion to the contact period up to day 3. Maximum anthraquinone colorants were obtained with 3-day treatment of chitosan. During chitosan elicitation, the total production was increased 1.3 times in MS medium containing galactose as compared to that containing sucrose. The degree of deacetylation in chitosan and the use of growth regulator or addition of precursor did not affect the production of anthraquinone colorants. When madder cells were elicited at optimum condition, anthraquinone concentration and specific anthraquinone content increased 1.3 times (0.69 g/L) and 2.2 times (0.32 g/g DCW), respectively.