Enhancing Lycopene Production in Tomato Roots through Genetic Transformation with Agrobacterium rhizogenes

Abstract

Different cell density of Agrobacterium rhizogenes ATCC 15834 and inoculation time were tested to investigate 
the ability for transformation and production of 1ycopene in Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. Agrobacterim 
rhizogenes used in this study were able to produce hairy roots. The transformation frequency was 33-59%. 
Bacterial cell density and inoculation time didn’t affect on transformation frequency and root number per explants 
but affected growth and 1ycopene content of hairy root. The developed culture exhibited fast growth and high 
lateral branching on hormone-free liquid MS medium. Higher bacterial cell density OD and longer inoculation time 
decreased fresh weight of hairy roots. Cell density of Agrobacterium significantly affected 1ycopene content of 
hairy root while effect of inoculation length was non significant at 5% probability level. Cell density OD = 0.5 on 
all inoculation time produced 1ycopene content higher than that of cell density OD = 1.0. The highest fresh weight 
(1970 mg) and 1ycopene content (1.68 µg/g) was observed after 6 weeks of hairy roots culture produced by 
inoculation of Agrobacterium at cell density OD = 0.5 for 15 minutes. Lycopene content of root closely related to 
growth of hairy root.