Establishment of Suspension Culture for Stem Cells of Calendula officinalis L. in Scientific Reports

The establishment of suspension culture for stem cells of Calendula officinalis L. is a significant breakthrough in plant tissue culture research. This technique allows for the mass production of stem cells, which can be used for various applications in medicine, agriculture, and cosmetics. In a recent study published in Scientific Reports, researchers successfully developed a suspension culture system for Calendula officinalis L. stem cells, providing a valuable tool for future studies and applications.

Calendula officinalis L., commonly known as marigold, is a medicinal plant with various therapeutic properties. It is rich in bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, triterpenoids, and polysaccharides, which have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties. The stem cells of Calendula officinalis L. are particularly interesting due to their potential for regenerative medicine and pharmaceutical applications.

Traditionally, plant tissue culture techniques involve the growth of plant cells or tissues on solid media such as agar. However, this method has limitations when it comes to large-scale production and manipulation of cells. Suspension culture, on the other hand, involves the growth of cells in a liquid medium, allowing for the expansion of cell populations in a controlled environment.

In this study, the researchers established a suspension culture system for Calendula officinalis L. stem cells using a combination of growth regulators and culture conditions. They first isolated stem cells from young shoots and cultured them on solid media to establish a cell line. The cells were then transferred to liquid media containing specific growth regulators to induce cell division and maintain cell viability.

The researchers optimized the culture conditions by adjusting factors such as pH, temperature, light intensity, and nutrient composition. They found that a pH of 5.8, a temperature of 25°C, a light intensity of 50 μmol m-2 s-1, and a nutrient composition containing Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with 2 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.5 mg/L α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) resulted in the highest cell growth rate and biomass production.

The suspension culture system allowed for the expansion of Calendula officinalis L. stem cells, with a doubling time of approximately 4 days. The cells exhibited a high proliferation rate and maintained their stem cell characteristics throughout the culture period. The researchers also observed the production of secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids and triterpenoids, which are known for their medicinal properties.

The establishment of a suspension culture system for Calendula officinalis L. stem cells opens up new possibilities for the production of bioactive compounds on a large scale. These compounds can be further explored for their potential applications in medicine, agriculture, and cosmetics. For example, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Calendula officinalis L. stem cell-derived compounds can be utilized in the development of novel drugs or skincare products.

Furthermore, the suspension culture system provides a valuable tool for studying the molecular mechanisms underlying stem cell differentiation and regeneration in Calendula officinalis L. By manipulating the culture conditions and growth regulators, researchers can investigate the factors that influence stem cell fate and develop strategies to enhance specific compound production.

In conclusion, the establishment of a suspension culture system for stem cells of Calendula officinalis L. represents a significant advancement in plant tissue culture research. This technique allows for the mass production of stem cells and the exploration of their potential applications in medicine, agriculture, and cosmetics. The optimized culture conditions provide a foundation for future studies and pave the way for the development of innovative products derived from Calendula officinalis L. stem cells.