Morphogenesis and in vitro production of caffeoylquinic and caffeic acids in Baccharis conferta Kunth

We established a protocol for the in vitro propagation of Baccharis conferta Kunth. This plant is used to treat gastrointestinal problems, cramps, pain, respiratory problems, and insect bites. A high rate of shoot multiplication was obtained from nodal segments on Murashige and Skoog (MS) culture medium. The shoots regenerated roots without exogenous plant growth regulators (PGRs). All explants of wild leaves on MS medium containing 5 μM of thidiazuron (TDZ) produced friable callus. An organogenic response was achieved after 3 wk of culture when callus segments were transferred to MS medium containing a combination of plant growth regulators (PGRs): either (i) 5 μM indole butyric acid (IBA) + 5 μM kinetin (KIN) or (ii) 0.5 μM IBA + 1.10 μM benzylaminopurine (BAP). The morphogenetic responses of callus were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Shoots regenerated from callus and formed roots on MS medium without PGRs. The micropropagated plantlets and the organogenic callus showed similar chemical profiles in HPLC-mass spectrometry analyses. The main compounds present in the cultures were caffeoylquinic acids. Only plantlets contained small amounts of triterpenes (erythrodiol and ursolic acid). These findings will be useful for the micropropagation of this important native resource, and for further studies on its biology.