Hairy root induction and benzylisoquinoline alkaloid production in Macleaya microcarpa

Macleaya microcarpa are rich in benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs). Hairy roots can effectively produce natural secondary metabolites. A reliable and efficient hairy root induction system for M. macrocarpa was established. The highest rate of transformation (96.7%) was obtained in 37 days leaves. The levels of BIAs in hairy roots and wild roots of M. cordata and M. microcarpa were compared. It was found that the content of sanguinarine (SAN) and chelerythrine (CHE) in hairy roots of M. microcarpa was higher than that in wild roots, but the content of protopine (PRO) and allocryptopine (ALL) was lower than wild roots. This finding has important implications to produce SAN and CHE by using the hairy roots of M. microcarpa as an additional source of SAN and CHE to conserve M. cordata plant resources. Macleaya microcarpa hairy roots has been established. Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) was identified. Among BIAs, sanguinarine (SAN), chelerythrine (CHE), protopine (PRO) and allocryptopine (ALL) are the M. microcarpa main active ingredients. The content of SAN((4.28 mg/g))、CHE(2.26mg/g) level in the hairy roots is higher than wild roots M. macrocarpa. The content of PRO(0.63mg/g)、ALL(1.50mg/g) in the hairy roots is lower than wild roots M. mIcrocarpa.