In Vitro Studies and Biotechnology of Taiwan Native Species of the Gentianaceae

This chapter describes the different methodologies used for in vitro micropropagation and cell suspension culture in Gentiana sp. Low concentrations of auxins and kinetin enhanced the growth of suspension cells. Maximum growth in suspension cultures of Gentiana sp. was obtained at shaker speed of 80–100 rpm, pH 4.2–5.2, and a light intensity of 2.33 μE m−2 s−1. Attention is also given to the metabolite content of different plant organs of Gentiana sp. The aerial and underground parts of G. davidii contain the greatest amounts of gentiopicroside and swertiamarin. These findings may be implemented for micropropagation, germplasm conservation, and commercial cultivation, and their active principles analysis in other members of the Gentianaceae.