The effect of chitosan nanoparticles for the production and spread of yellow pigments in root cultivation of safflower

The plant of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) belonging to the Asteraceae family contains kinocalcone pigments that have medicinal properties. These pigments are abundant in the flower of this plant, but it has been seen that the roots of this plant in vitro have the potential for high production of these pigments. One of the ways to increase the production of secondary metabolites in tissue culture is to use different elicitors. In this study, chitosan nanoparticles were used as an elicitor. Grown roots were first cultured in liquid Murashige and Skoog(MS) medium for mass production, in static condition. The roots were then subcultured with chitosan nanoparticles (0, 1, 2 and 4%). After 20 days of culture the growth was determined and the yellow pigments of root and medium were measured by spectrophotometer and the results showed that chitosan nanoparticles had no effect on growth and increased the pigment leakage to the culture medium. The effect of chitosan nanoparticles on release of safflower metabolites into the culture medium can facilitate the transfer of metabolites without destroying the roots, and this is a significant advantage for in vitro production.