OBJECTIVETo study tissue culture of Vinca minor and determine the content of vincamine.

METHODLeaf blades, stalks, root segment of V. minor were used as explants to study the effect of 2, 4-D,6-BA,NAA on its callus induction and vincamine contents in the orthogonal design experiment. In the peak period of callus formation, vincamine content in callus of V. minor and sterile plants was determined by HPLC. The experimental data was statistically analyzed.

RESULTThe content of 6-BA and NAA had no significant effect on its callus induction. But the content of 2, 4-D had significant effect on its callus induction. Within 20,40,60 d, the content of vincamine in sterile plant was (0.015 +/- 0.003)%, (0.097 +/- 0.001)% , (0.113 +/- 0.06)%, respectively. In the peak period of callus formation, vincamine content in callus of leaf blades, stalks, root segment was (0.024 +/- 0.0025)%, (0.016 +/- 0.0015)%, (0.010 +/- 0.0015)%, respectively. To 30 days of subculture, vincamine content in callus of leaf blades, stalks, root segment was (0.041 +/- 0.002)%, (0.019 +/- 0001)%, (0.016 +/- 0.002)%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe optimal hormone combination for callus initiation was MS +2, 4-D 1.0 mg x L(-1) +6-BA 0.5 mg x L(-1) + NAA 0.5 mg x L(-1). In different growth periods, vincamine content in sterile plants is significantly different. From different explants in callus vincamine content is different, in which leaves callus is significantly higher than that of stems, roots produced callus organization.