Quantification of Phytochemicals in hairy root cultures of Rubia cordifolia Linn

Hairy roots were successfully induced using leaf and stem explant and were analyzed for the presence of Alizarin using RP-HPLC. The transgenic nature of hairy roots was confirmed by PCR. The growth curve study performed showed high biomass generation from the roots grown in MS media than that of ½MS and B5 media. The fresh and dry weight of hairy roots after four weeks of culturing found to be 86.92±2.5g and 4.74±0.14g respectively. These roots were further analysed for total phenolics, flavonoids and alkaloids using different solvent system. The Methanol extract of dried roots of B5 media showed highest accumulation of Total Phenolic Content (139.719±0.856 mg GAE g ?¹) and flavonoids (115.615±1.208 mg RE g ?¹) while aqueous extract of dried roots from B5 media showed highest (32.429±0.569 mg CE g ?¹) accumulation of alkaloids. Alizarin content was estimated from the hairy roots grown on different media as well as field grown roots. Hairy roots grown on MS medium showed higest accumulation of alizarin which was obsreved to be 7.42 and 5.16 fold increase, in fresh and dry roots respectively, as compaired to field grown roots. These properties of hairy roots of Rubia cordifolia have opened up further avenues for the research.