Phytochemical Evaluation and Plant Regeneration Through Somatic Embryogenesis of Ferulago angulata subsp. Carduchorum (Boiss. and Hausskn), an Endangered Medicinal Plant

Ferulago angulata is an important medicinal plant and endemic to Iran which is an endangered Plant.
The aim of this study was to achieve an efficient method for propagation of this plant and evaluation of essential oil content and composition in habitat.
Metthods: Essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation using Clevenger-type apparatus and its composition was analyzed by the GC and GC-MS. For callus induction, explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with NAA, 2,4-D and BA. For somatic embryogenesis, the calli were cultured on MS medium supplemented with full, 1/4 and 1/10 fold of growth regulators and MS medium without growth regulator. For maturation, embryogenic clumps were transferred on MS medium supplemented with BA, 2,4-D and 30 or 60 g l-1 sucrose. The small embryogenic clumps were transferred to medium with GA3.
The main components of essential oils were Ocimene (29.84%), followed by α-pinene (27.01%), Isobornyl formate (7.7%) and gamma-Terpinene (4.85%). The highest percentage of callus induction observed in the root and hypocotyl explants. The maximum somatic embryogenesis was obtained in MS medium with 0.5 mg l-1 2, 4-D via hypocotyls derived explants. The highest frequency of maturation was obtained in MS medium containing 30 g l-1 sucrose without growth regulators.
Conclution: This plant had a noticeable amount of essential oil with valuable ingredients and tissue culture techniques could be applied for its mass propagation, conservation of germplasm and in vitro regeneration.