4-Hydroxybenzyl alcohol accumulates in suspension-cell cultures and inhibits somatic embryogenesis in carrot

Somatic embryogenesis in carrot (Daucus carota L.)is density cultures. The accumulation of 4HBA in high cell strongly inhibited by certain factors that accumulate in cul- density cultures was rapid during the early days of culture. ture medium of high-density cultures of embryogenic cells. This rapid accumulation of 4HBA in high cell density cultures We previously identified 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (4HBA)as might result in the strong inhibition of somatic embryogeneone of the inhibitory factors. In this study, we analyzed the sis. The production of 4HBA decreased as the somatic emaccumulation pattern of 4HBA in the cultures of carrot bryos developed. In addition, embryogenic cells released suspension cells. When somatic embryogenesis was induced by larger amount of 4HBA into the culture medium compared culturing embryogenic cells in phytohormone-free Murashige with non-embryogenic cells. These results suggest that the and Skoog medium at various initial cell densities, 4HBA production of 4HBA is both related to embryogenic compeaccumulated in the culture medium. The concentration of tence and developmentally regulated during somatic embryo4HBA in high cell density cultures was higher than in low cell genesis.