Secondary metabolites are essentially produced and extracted from plants grown in the field under influence of seasonal variations. The use of biotechnological techniques is an alternative resource for drug production. Among these techniques, tissue culture through callus genesis is highlighted, since callus growth is desirable to induce somaclonal variation and physiological studies, especially when the presence of secondary metabolites can be related to cell growth. The aim of this work was to establish a protocol for Cissus sicyoides L. callus genesis from leaf segments in order to produce metabolites in vitro. Thus, leaf segments removed from adult plants grown in the field were used as explants. After disinfestation, the material was inoculated into MT medium + 1.0 mg L-1 NAA and kept in a BOD chamber, with controlled temperature and luminosity. After 30 days, the percentage of surviving explants and the percentage of contamination were evaluated. For culture, MT medium + 1.0 mg L-1 NAA was used, varying BAP concentrations: 2.0, 4.0, 6.0 and 12.0 mg L-1. In the cultivation, the number of compact and friable calluses was counted. For the first and second subculture, the material was introduced into MT medium + 1.0 mg L-1 NAA, varying the same BAP concentrations; the number of friable calluses formed and the size of callus mass were described. The number of replicates formed during subcultures, and fresh and dry matter (g) were also obtained. Then, phytochemical tests were done in order to identify some compounds. The adopted time and concentration of sodium hypochlorite proved to be inefficient for disinfestation. For Cissus sicyoides L. callus genesis from leaf segments, the addition of 6.0 mg L-1 BAP to the culture medium is needed. Cardiotonic heterosides were detected in Cissus sicyoides L. calluses.
secondary metabolites; explants; culture
