Development of dandelion "Weed" as a platform for triterpenes production

Dandelion is a plant known as a common weed, but also has an important background as a traditional medicine related to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer activity, among others (Martínez et al., 2015). Some species of this genus has been used in the past as a source of natural rubber, producing inulin as a byproduct of this process (Flüß et al., 2013); however, several bioactives compounds has also been identify in its tissue (González-Castejón et al., 2012). Among these compounds, triterpenes are one of the main responsible for the medicinal properties of this plant and is our aim to establish an in vitro culture for the selective production of two triterpenes: amyrin and lupeol. A tissue culture system for production of high quality planting material was developed at our university in collaboration with the Münster University in Germany (WWU). A tissue culture system was established for mass propagation of common dandelion (T. officinale), in which different explants and culture conditions were tested for callus induction. Hypocotyls gave the best induction at every condition tested (100%) using sucrose as carbon source in a suitable combination of PGRs (NAA/BAP). Triterpenes were detected after 4-6 weeks of culture and directly related to the maintenance conditions of callus.