Effect of activated charcoal and subculture rates on a two-phase culture strategy involving biomass accumulation followed by phenolic production in date palm cell suspension cultures.

BACKGROUND: Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is an important medicinal plant rich in a wide range of phenolic compounds variety of high antioxidant values. To enhance the production of phenolic compounds in cell suspension cultures, this study examines the impact of activated charcoal (AC) and subculture rates on biomass accumulation and phenolic content. RESULTS: Indicate that culture medium with or without activated charcoal (AC) and subculture rates have a significant effect on the synthesis of phenolic compounds and the accumulation of biomass. The culture medium without AC showed a substantial increase in the synthesis of phenolic compounds without loss of biomass accumulation. Specifically, the intracellular phenolic content in somatic embryos increased more than threefold, while the extracellular phenolic content in the spent liquid medium rose more than fivefold. Additionally, when subcultured every three weeks, the intracellular phenolic content was fivefold higher and the extracellular phenolic content approximately sixfold higher than when subcultured once a week. The combination of subcultures with and without activated charcoal significantly enhanced the production of phenolic compounds and biomass accumulation. Subculturing every week with charcoal for three weeks, followed by two weeks without charcoal, and then three additional weeks without charcoal, resulted in increased biomass accumulation during the first four weeks and also significantly increased accumulation of intracellular phenolic content by sevenfold and extracellular phenolic content by ninefold in the last 3 weeks of the suspension cultures period. CONCLUSIONS: This study establishes a reliable protocol for the large-scale production of phenolic compounds from date palm, which serve as raw materials for various pharmaceutical and food industries.