Secondary metabolites production from liquid tissue culture of Citrus aurantium

This work focused on selection of the <i>Citrus aurantium</i> explant and hormonal combination that gives cells with high production level of secondary metabolites in liquid medium. <br>The highest percentage of callus formation (100%) was observed for cotyledonary with 3mg / l 2,4-D and 2 mg / l kinetin and with ovules with 0.2 mg/l 2,4-D and 2 mg/l kinetin.</br> Analyses of essential oil composition by gas chromatography revealed that neither callus from cotyledonary nor from ovules explants product volatiles components. <br>Analysis of callus fatty acid revealed that those produced by calluses issued from ovules cultures are those that are closest to those formed in the bitter orange fruit.</br> Transfer of calluses derived from ovules and cotyledonaries explants gives two types of suspension depending on the hormonal combination. Calluses transferred on Liquid MS medium supplemented with 0.2 mg/l 2,4-D with 2 mg/l kinetin gives a dispersed suspension. Howether, calluses transferred onto MS liquid medium supplemented 4 mg/l BA and 0.2 mg/ NAA gives suspension with compact cluster callus. <br>The growth rate of callus aggregate was lower than the dispersed cell cultures and their biomass were higher than the dispersed cell cultures.</br> Transfer of calluses in liquid medium show that cytokinins at high concentrations are essential for initiation and maintenance of callus aggregate.