We have investigated that a couple of soft ferrite ceramic powders having a spinal structure have shown the effect on growth and secondary metabolites production of some medicinal plants cultured in vitro. The addition of the ceramic powders as bare state to culture medium has stimulated the growth of Achyranthes japonica callus and plantlet, adventitious root of Hyoscyamus niger and Platycodon grandiflorum hairy root about 65, 75, 150 and 50%, respectively. Whereas Centella asiatica callus and plantlet, Scopolia parviflora hairy root, and Hyoscyamus albus adventitious root were not affected markedly. Moreover, the ceramic powder has enhanced the growth of H. niger adventitious roots even under conditions of irradiating alone without any direct contact between ceramic powder and media. Based on growth stimulation effect, the ceramic powders have enhanced the gross production of tropane alkaloid in H. niger adventitious root, and polyacetylene in P. grandiflorum hairy root about 35 and 30%, respectively.

• Yu-Jeong Kim
• Baik Hwang
• Jun-Cheul Ahn