Effects of endophytic fungi and its elicitor on suspension cell and alkaloids synthesis of catharanthus roseus

Objective: To explore the effects of endophytic fungi and its elicitor on cells status and alkaloids synthesis in suspension culture cells of catharanthus roseus. Methods: Endophytic fungi and its elicitor were added to the medium and co-cultured with catharanthus roseus suspension cells, then biochemistry indexes of catharanthus roseus suspension cells were determined. Results: The pH value of the medium and the MDA concentration in suspension cells increased. The activities of antioxidative enzymes (POD, CAT) and the key enzymes (PAL, TDC) during the synthesis of alkaloids increased. The alkaloids yield in suspension cells also elevated. The alkaloids yields of the co-culture group and the induction group reached 693.76 μg/gFW and 770.36 μg/gFW respectively, and respectively increased by 48 % and 32 % compared with the control. Conclusion: Cell status was changed by endophytic fungi and its elicitor, which resulted in the changes of cell metabolism structure and the increase of the alkaloids yield.