Mass production of Pinellia ternata multiple egg-shaped micro-tubers (MESMT) through optimized growth conditions for use in ethnomedicine

The root tuber of Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Briet has been used over the years in traditional medicine to treat myriad of diseases. In this study, a standard in vitro mass production of P. ternata multiple egg-shaped micro-tubers (MESMT) protocol was developed to meet the increasing demand for P. ternata tubers. Ten different types of media, as well as different sucrose and plant growth regulators (PGRs) concentrations were evaluated for their suitability to enhance optimum P. ternata MESMT production. At 6 weeks of culture, LS medium supplemented with 6% sucrose, 1.0 mg/L BA cytokinin and 0.5 mg/L IAA auxin was the most suitable condition for the mass production of P. ternata MESMT. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses of the P. ternata MESMT harvested after 25 weeks of growth in soil showed a close similarity and drug equivalence to the commercialised P. ternata sample. Although these results provide a basis for future mass production of P. ternata MESMT, further testing should be conducted to validate this patented P. ternata MESMT (No. 10-1955009) for use in ethnomedicine. This is the first study to report on the optimal conditions for P. ternata MESMT increased mass production for traditional medicine purpose.