OBJECTIVETo provide a new material for producing the Rhodiolasachalinensis products, the effect of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on callus biomass and effective compound accumulation of Rhodiolasachalinensis was studied.

METHODThe calluses-cultured in 3 L-air lift balloon type bioreactor were treated with MeJA after 20 d of bioreactor culture and the effect of MeJA concentration and treatment days on callus biomass, salidroside or polysaccharide accumulation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities were investigated.

RESULTThe callus biomass was not significantly different after MeJA treatment (125) for 0-6 d but obviously decreased after 6 d treatment. The maximum salidroside or polysaccharide contents and SOD or POD activities were found after 4 d treatment of MeJA. MeJA concentration significantly affected callus biomass and effective compound accumulation, biomass decreased at MeJA concentrations higher than 125 μmol x L(-1). However, the effective compound contents were determined at higher MeJA concentration, and the highest salidroside and polysaccharide accumulation was found at 225 and 275 μmol x L(-1) MeJA, respectively and the maximum SOD and POD activities was found at 225 μmol x L(-1) MeJA. The effective compound contents in callus were compared with field-grown plants. Salidroside contents in calluses were 1.1-fold and 2. 4-fold more than in plant roots and stem or leave, respectively. Polysaccharide content in calluses were 3. 6-fold and 8.0-fold more than in plant roots and stem or leave, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSalidorside and polysaccharide in Rhodiolasachalinensiscalluses improved by MeJA treatment, 225 μmol x L(-1) MeJA and 4 d treatment were optimal. The effective compound contents in callus were obviously higher than in field-grown plants. Therefore, bioreactor culture is efficient for obtaining mass effective compounds of Rhodiolasachalinensis by culturing calluses. This method could provide an alternative material source for production of Rhodiolasachalinensis products.