Effects of Plant Growth Regulators and Carbon Sources on Theanine Formation in Callus Cultures of Tea (Camellia sinensis)

Abstract

Both growth and theanine accumulation in tea callus cultures were improved by the combination of 4mg/liter benzyladenine and 2mg/liter indol-3-butyric acid, but were strongly inhibited by the addition of 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. The optimum initial concentration of carbon source was 30g/liter sucrose. Upon the addition of more than 30g/liter of sucrose, the callus fresh weight was increased, but the theanine formation was not improved.