Factors affecting the accumulation of 9-methoxycanthin-6-one in callus cultures of Eurycoma longifolia

A study was conducted to improve 9-methoxycanthin-6-one productivity （potential anti-tumour compound） from callus cultures of Emycorna longifolia （Tongkat All）. Several factors affecting 9-methoxycanthin-6-one production in callus cultures such as different medium compositions and physical factors were investigated and analyzed. Results show that a higher production of 9-methoxycanthin-6-one （3.84 mg-g-1 DW （Dry Weight）） is obtained from callus cultured in 1/4 MS basal media. At fructose of 2% （w/v）, the production of 9-methoxycanthin-6-one （4.59 mgg-1DW） is promoted to gain the highest yield, compared to other carbon sources tested. The addition of 2.0-mg·L^-1 dicamba also increases 9-methoxycanthin-6-one production （12.3 mg·g^-1 DW）. Higher production of 9-methoxycanthin-6-one was obtained at pH 5.5 （1.53 mg·g^-1 DW）. Production of 9-methoxycanthin-6-one （2.34 mg-g^-1 DW） in callus cultures is also increased when the medium is added with 1×10 ^-1μM phenylalanine. This study suggests that the successful production of 9-methoxycanthin-6-one in vitro cultures has a potential in large-scale production using bioreactor technology.