Phenolic compounds accumulation in Hypericum ternum propagated in vitro and during plant development acclimatization

The phenolic compound content of Hypericum ternum was investigated after micropropagation establishment and during acclimatization over the phenological development of the plant. Plantlets cultured in vitro on full Murashige and Skoog medium without growth regulators displayed higher phenolic compound yields, were acclimatized, and field grown. Production of total phenolic compounds as well as hyperoside, chlorogenic acid, quercitrin, guaijaverin, isoquercitrin, and uliginosin B were quantified at vegetative, flowering and fructification stages, and different plant organs (roots, stems, leaves and reproductive parts) showing that reproductive parts at flowering stage and the leaves at fructification stage were the main repository site of secondary metabolites, except for uliginosin B. The stems were the least accumulative organ, while the roots accumulated only hyperoside and uliginosin B. Moreover, the accumulation of most of the flavonoids and uliginosin B in acclimatized plants surpassed the levels found in the wild plant, warranting further research with the species.