COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF IN VITRO SYSTEMS FOR BERBERINE PRODUCTION FROM BERBERIS VULGARIS AND BERBERIS OBLONGA: FROM HAIRY ROOT CULTURES TO BIOREACTOR SCALING)

Abstrak

Berberine is a high-value benzylisoquinoline alkaloid with significant therapeutic potential in treating metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. Due to the ecological impact of harvesting wild Berberis species, in vitro biotechnological production offers a sustainable alternative. This study provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of five cultivation systems—callus, cell suspension, adventitious roots, temporary immersion systems (TIS), and Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated hairy roots—using Berberis vulgaris and Berberis oblonga as models. Our findings indicate that hairy root cultures achieve the highest berberine yield (up to 45 mg/g DW), while TIS provides the most efficient platform for biomass intensification. A detailed protocol for A. rhizogenes transformation and a comparative technological matrix are provided to guide industrial-scale implementation.