In vitro propagation of Galphimia glauca and content of the sedative compound galphimine-B in wild and micropropagated plants.

An in vitro micropropagation protocol is described for Galphimia glauca Cav. (Malpighighiaceae). Multiple shoots were formed in vitro from axillary bud explants inoculated on MS medium supplemented with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and kinetin (KN) combinations. A maximum of 20 shoots was obtained from a single bud in a 60-day culture period. In vitro-grown shoots were successfully rooted and transferred to field conditions (90 % survival). The sedative triterpenoid galphimine-B (1) content of micropropagated plants transferred to field conditions was similar to that of wild plants. Our results suggest that the in vitro propagation protocol described here will have positive effects on conservation of natural resources as well as on adequate techniques for multiplication of an important Mexican medicinal plant.