Cambial meristematic cells from bitter melon (Momordica charantia L. AMP-06): Propagation, characterization, and kuguacin J content

The use of plant cell culture remains an attractive means in the production of valuable phytochemicals. However, the traditionally used callus, which is dedifferentiated cells (DDCs), possesses several limitations, including inconsistent secondary metabolite production, slow growth rate, and genetic instability, which all can be circumvented by the use of innately undifferentiated cambial meristematic cells (CMCs). This paper demonstrates the isolation of CMCs from Momordica charantia L. AMP-06. Characterization showed homogeneity of cells and the presence of small, multiple vacuoles. Untargeted Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and chemometric analyses suggest at least 25 chemical markers. Cell suspension culture growing optimizations in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium were determined to be pH 5.8, 30 °C incubation temperature, 110 rpm agitation speed, and 30 g/L sucrose concentration. Cell growth kinetics showed a faster growth rate than previously reported growth of DDC. Analysis of a selected secondary metabolite, Kuguacin J, revealed its content in CMC to reach up to 4,924 ug/g dry weight, which is a 2,026-fold higher than the previously reported isolation yield from dried M. charantia leaves and vines. This shows that cambial meristematic cell culture can be utilized as a platform to produce bioactive secondary metabolites with higher content than those found in intact plants.