An in vitro cell suspension culture of Echium italicum was established and assayed for the production of shikonin and alkannin derivatives. Callus tissues were induced from cotyledon explants of the plant incubated onto the solidified B5 medium. A two-liquid-phase system suspension culture was then established to elicit pigments of shikonin and alkannin derivatives using liquid paraffin. The presence of liquid paraffin efficiently induced production of pigments in cultured cells. The production and/ or accumulation of these compounds in the E. italicum cells was examined using fluorescence microscopy as the naphthoquinone molecules display autofluorescent properties. Phytochemical analysis of the n-hexane extract of the medium was also carried out using preparative HPLC. The chemical structure of shikonin and alkannin derivatives were characterized by UV, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR techniques. Based on our findings, this bioprocess engineering approach resulted in induction of shikonin and alkannin derivatives, whereupon it may be recruited for production of these important secondary metabolites.

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Hayward kiwifruit were treated with methyl salicylate (MeSA) at different concentrations (0, 8, 16, 24, 32 µL.L -1 ), then stored at 0.5 ºC and 90% RH for 5 months to investigate postharvest quality and ripening behavior. MeSA treatments, especially at 32 µL.L -1 concentrations, were highly effective in reducing ethylene production, fungal decay, APX and CAT activity, weight loss and total soluble solids (TSS) in Hayward kiwifruit, as well as ascorbic acid (AA) and flesh firmness loss compared with that observed in control fruit. Hayward kiwifruit treated with 24 µL.L 1 MeSA was lowest pH. Titrable acidity (TA) of the Hayward kiwifruit was not significantly affected by the use of MeSA treatments.

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