In vitro growth of Tagetes patula L. hairy roots, production of thiophenes and its mosquito larvicidal activity

Abstract

Hairy root culture of Tagetes patula was studied for thiophene production. Growth parameters (on fresh and dry wt basis) were measured for biomass production. The analysis of thiophene was carried out by the methods of Flame Ionization Detection (FID) and mass spectral analysis (GC-MS). The separation profile of the thiophenes indicated the presence of several structurally different thiophenes, predominantly α-terthienyl, which was confirmed by FID and GC-MS analysis. The maximum accumulation of biomass (0.27g. dry wt/ culture) was recorded on 12 th day and thiophene content (0.064%) was recorded as maximum on 9 th day. The thiophene produced in hairy roots of T. patula showed larvicidal effect against