Shikimic Acid Production from Ginkgo biloba via Callus Culture

Abstract

Shikimic acid is a very important precursor for industrial synthesis of oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) which is used for the antiviral treatment. In this study, callus culture of Ginkgo biloba for shikimic acid production was reported. Callus induced from either leaves or nodal stems of sterilized ginkgo was grown on MS medium supplemented with a combination of plant growth regulators as followed: MS+KD, MS+BD, MS+KN and MS+BN for 90 days. Morphological changes, fresh weight and shikimic acid content of callus in each medium were monitored every 30 days. The result showed that callus cultures from each treatment were morphologically different. It is likely due to explant used for callus induction and type of plant growth regulators added into the medium. Browning effect was noticeably detected from 60 days to 90 days. Moreover, fresh weight and shikimic acid content of callus culture depended on cultivation time, cultivation medium and type of explants used for callus induction. Callus induced from nodal stem grown on MS+BN for 30 days offered the highest fresh weight. For shikimic acid production, the most satisfied quantity of shikimic acid was achieved from callus cultured on MS+KN for 30 days by exploiting nodal stem as explant.