Trends in the Tissue Culture Techniques and the Synthesis of Bioactive Compounds in Eurycoma longifolia Jack-Current Status and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Over the last two decades, there has been a concerted effort by researchers to mass propagate Eurycoma longifolia and improve the yield of its very important and sought-after anti-cancer and aphrodisiac bioactive compounds. To achieve this, various techniques have been used to mass propagate and improve the yield of these bioactive compounds in tissue cultures. These techniques include the optimization of media conditions and application of various types and combinations of plant growth regulators (PGRs). In addition, some elicitation techniques have been used to improve the synthesis of these bioactive compounds. However, in comparison with other herbal species with similar economic importance, many techniques have not been applied to E. longifolia. Adopting the most recent methodologies would ensure efficiency and sustainability in the in vitro production of bioactive compounds in E. longifolia. Therefore, in this review, we present an up-to-date record on the success stories in the tissue culture techniques and synthesis of bioactive compounds. In addition, we attempted to identify some of the missing links on the road to the effective and sustainable biotechnological utilization of this super important biological resource.

Keywords: Eurycoma longifolia; bioactive compounds; biosynthesis; elicitation; plant tissue culture.

Figure 1

Current trend in E. longifolia tissue culture; (A) various tissue culture techniques employed in E. longifolia, (B) occurrence of publications of E. longifolia over the years. The last bar represents only two years.

Figure 2

Summary of the successes in the tissue culture and in vitro synthesis of bioactive compounds in E. longifolia. S.E = somatic embryo; A.R = adventitious roots; H.R = hairy roots; C.S = cell suspension; Phe = phenylalanine; Val = valine; PEC = pectin; YE = yeast extract; MeJa = methyl jasmonate; JA = jasmonic acids; SA = salicylic acid; 2° = secondary; Na₂CO₃ = sodium carbonate; NaH₂PO₄ = monosodium phosphate; PVP = polyvinylpyrrolidone.