Identification of lupeol produced by Vernonanthura patens (Kunth) H. Rob. leaf callus culture

The lupeol detection in callus of Vernonanthura patens (Kunth) H. Rob. leaves is discussed. Leaf segments previously treated with sodium hypochlorite, ethanol, and distilled water were placed in MS basal medium (Murashige and Skoog) for 7 days. Next, callus induction were done in two complemented MS medium for 6 weeks. Then, callus propagation were performed in MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L of benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.5 mg/L of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) for 50 days. Fresh callus were extracted every 10 days in an ultrasonic bath using ethyl acetate (1.0 g/10 mL). The identification was carried out by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) using selected ion monitoring (SIM) acquisition mode with characteristic ions of lupeol. The results obtained indicate the occurrence of lupeol in callus extract after twenty days of proliferation. These findings could be use in subsequent scale-up studies for biomass production containing this active compound in order to replace conventional methods.