LAUSR

Abstract Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst is widely used in Ayurveda treatment for improving memory and reducing anxiety. Triterpenoid saponin glycosides are the bioactive compounds in this plant. This study aimed to investigate the influence of precursor feeding and LED light exposure on the enhancement of bioactive compounds in in vitro cultures of B. monnieri. Precursor feeding l -alanine and l -phenylalanine significantly enhanced the accumulation of triterpenoid saponin glycosides in all treatments. The optimal duration for precursor feeding was obtained after treatment for 6 days. Total triterpenoid saponin glycosides production increased 2.4-fold to 46.98 ± 0.19 mg/g dry wt. and 2.6-fold to 49.41 ± 0.12 mg/g dry wt. by adding 5 mM l -alanine and 150 μM l -phenylalanine for 6 days, respectively. In addition, triterpenoid saponin glycosides reached the maximum level (58.53 ± 0.74 mg/g dry wt.) after treatment with a combination of precursors (1.0 mM l -alanine and 100 μM l -phenylalanine for 6 days). Furthermore, blue and red light on day 28 of treatment increased triterpenoid saponin glycosides (24.11 ± 0.07, 22.18 ± 0.19 mg/g dry wt.) 1.7-fold and 1.5-fold higher than that obtained with white light. This study indicated that bioactive compounds in B. monnieri in vitro cultures can be enhanced by feeding precursors and LED light exposure. These techniques can be applied at the industrial level of crops and food supplements.