title: Tissue culture study of the medicinal plant leek (allium ampeloprasum L).
abstract: Persian shallot, also called leek (Allium ampeloprasum), is a monocotyledon plant of the lily family (Liliaceae). It belongs to the genus Allium, has a characteristic taste and morphological features, making it to be considered as one of the popular herbal medicine. This research was conducted with the purpose of obtaining optimal conditions for tissue culture of Persian shallot and comparing its active ingredient production in vitro versus in vivo. In this study, the auxin 2, 4-D and benzyl aminopurine- 6 (BAP) hormones, each at two concentrations (0.5 and 0.1 mg/ L) and Kin at 0.5 mg/ L were used in the format of a randomized complete block design in three replications. Results showed that the best culture media for callus formation for leaf and seed explants were the MS cultures with the hormonal compositions (0.5 mg/ L of 2, 4- D, 0.1 mg/ L of BAP) and (0.5 mg/ L of Kin and 0.1 mg/ L of 2, 4- D). Identification of the chemical composition of the essential oils, extracted either from leek callus or leaf was carried out using GC mass analysis. Twenty one compounds were detected in the GC mass spectra, seven of which constitutv about 51.5% of the total amount of compounds present in the essential oils were identified. Our data demonstrate that the leek essential oil constituents as well as callus formation can be affected by culture medium condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture, Payame Noor University, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Bagher
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Monemi
authors.affiliation: Sari Agricultural Science and Natural Resource University, Iran.
authors.forename: S Kamal
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kazemitabar
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture, Payame Noor University, Iran.
authors.forename: Gholamreza
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bakhshee Khaniki
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture, Payame Noor University, Iran.
authors.forename: Esmaeil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yasari
authors.affiliation: Gabit and Agricultural Biotecnology Institute of Tabarestan, Sari Agricultural Sciences and and Natural Resources University, Iran.
authors.forename: Firouzeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sohrevardi
authors.affiliation: Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center (CMBRC) Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Roghayeh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pourbagher
keywords: Allium Ampeloprasum; Leek; chromatography; essential oil; tissue culture