Elicitor enhanced production of plumbagin in suspension cultures of Plumbago rosea L.

Cell cultures of Plumbago rosea L. (synonymous P. indica) were treated with the elicitors prepared from the fungi (Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus oryzae), bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), yeast extract and chitosan to induce and enhance the synthesis of plumbagin. Elicitation of plumbagin production in chitosan treated cells was 6.71-fold higher compared to control cells. The treatment of cells with A. niger, R. oryzae and yeast elicitors resulted in two- to three-fold more plumbagin over control cells. Bacterial elicitors did not show much (