Yeast extract elicitation enhances biomass and bioactivities in Piper sarmentosum Roxb. callus cultures
Plant-derived bioactive compounds are increasingly sought after, while the availability of medicinal plant materials remains limited. Piper sarmentosum Roxb. is known as a source of phenolic compounds and flavonoids with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In vitro callus cultivation combined with elicitation is a practical strategy to enhance biomass and metabolite production. This study examined the effect of yeast extract at different concentrations on callus growth, secondary metabolite accumulation, antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory activity of P. sarmentosum. Callus was cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium enriched with 2.0 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 0.5 mg/L benzylaminopurine (BAP), then subcultured on MS medium containing 1.5 mg/L 2,4-D, 1.5 mg/L BAP and yeast extract concentrations of 0–2.0 mg/L. Biomass accumulation was evaluated as fresh and dry weights. Methanol extracts were analysed for total flavonoid content (TFC), total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (DPPH) and anti-inflammatory activity (protein denaturation inhibition). Yeast extract affected both growth and the metabolite profile. The highest biomass was obtained at 1.0 mg/L yeast extract, while higher concentrations promoted flavonoid accumulation and anti-inflammatory activity. These findings suggest that yeast elicitation can be optimised to enhance biomass production and the biological activity of P. sarmentosum callus cultures.