Distribution Pattern of Fatty Acids in Callus Cultures and Plant Parts

Study on lipids and fatty acids in plant callus tissues is of recent origin and a very limited number of reports are available (1). Some of these reports clearly indicate that cultural conditions greatly influence fatty acid composition of callus. In order to have meaningful comparison between the callus derived from six plant species of Cucurbitaceae, we employed identical conditions for initiation of callus and culture of the tissues isolated. Experiments were conducted in horizontal plane using cotyledons and their respective callus tissue of these plants and in vertical plane using root, hypocotyl, cotyledon, stem and leaf and their respective callus cultures of one plant, Cucumis melo utilissimus. The plants C. melo and C. melo utilissimus were used for varietal differences; these and C. sativus for differences in the species of a genus; and Citrullus vulgaris, Luffa acutangula and Momordica charantia for generic differences. M. charantia was selected as it contains an uncommon fatty acid, α-elaeostearic acid (conjugated octadecatrienoic acid).