Relationships between selenium, micronutrients, carbohydrates, and alkaloid accumulation in Catharanthus roseus cells

Abstract

When a culture media contained sulfur (S) or was partially depleted in S or selenium (Se) was added, the Catharanthus roseus cells had the same biomass during the stationary phase of growth. The medium partially depleted in sulfate did not change the S content of cells suggesting that they did not completely remove S from the culture medium. The addition of selenite or selenate increased zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) accumulation but did not modify the levels of S, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), or aluminum (Al). In the partially S‐deficient medium, both the carbohydrate content and alkaloid accumulation were decreased. Selenium feeding restored or enhanced the capacity of cells to accumulate these compounds. The effects were dependent on the form and the quantity of Se added to the culture medium. Selenate was found less effective than selenite.