Optimalization of the peroxidase production by tissue cultures of horseradish in vitro

Abstract

Tissue cultures of Armoracia rusticana L., both transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes and nontransformed, were screened for peroxidase activity. Most of the derived and tested strains exhibited 20 times higher activity [from 99 to 723 U g-1(d.m.)] than the root of the intact plant [(30 U g-1 (d.m.)]. The highest peroxidase activity was found in tumour culture growing on the medium without growth regulators. The influence of the addition of sugars and heavy metal ions in the medium on peroxidase production was tested. Increase in peroxidase activity was observed after cultivation of horseradish culture with cadmium, cobalt, nickel or lead ions.