Assessment of Biomass Accumulation, Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents and Antioxidant Activity of Callus Culture of Avocado (Persea americana. Mill) cv. Hass

Abstract

The cultivation of avocado (Persea Americana Mill.) cv. Hass via callus culture presents a sustainable approach for producing secondary metabolites. This study was conducted out to investigate the potential of callus culture in the production of bioactive compounds of avocado. Callus cultures were initiated from zygotic embryos on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different
concentrations of auxins 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Callus growth (fresh and dry weights), total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activity were evaluated four weeks after culture establishment. The results indicated that callus cultures were successfully established on all growth regulators combinations. In this regard, treatment of 5.0 mg/L 2,4-D exhibited the highest biomass accumulation. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents varied among treatments, with the highest values observed in callus grown on medium containing either 2.5 mg/L 2,4- D or 5.0 mg/L 2,4-D. The same trend was also observed with the antioxidant activity where 2.5 mg/L and 5.0 mg/L 2,4-D proved to demonstrate the highest antioxidant capacity (88.7% and 88.9%, respectively). Further investigation is needed to optimize culture conditions for enhanced production of bioactive compounds in avocado callus cultures. This study provides preliminary evidence for the potential of 'Hass' avocado callus culture as a source of natural antioxidants.