Crambe aspera plants in vitro propagation and its effect on fatty acids and phenolic compounds content and genome stability

In vitro culture can be used for endangered species preservation but its effect on biochemical properties and genetic stability of plants requires further research. Aim. The study on fatty acids content, phenolic compounds and phylogenetic relationships of Crambe aspera plants upon aseptic cultivation in vitro. Methods. Morphogenic potential of Crambe aspera leaf, root and petiole explants was studied in the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with different concentrations of growth factors. Fatty acids (FA) content was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry of FA ethers, phenolic compounds were determined by spectrophotometry. Polymerase chain reactions were used to study phylogenetic relationships. Results. The efficient protocols of seed surface sterilization as well as methods of fast microclonal multiplication and obtention of C. aspera callus tissue for were developed. Conclusions. Leaves of both in vitro and in vivo cultured plants had a high content of α-linolenic acid whereas erucic acid was absent. At the same time, the difference in biochemical composition between the plants grown in aseptic and non-aseptic conditions was shown. In vivo populations of C. aspera showed a high level of polymorphism but its genome did not undergo changes after the in vitro establishment.