Mycorrhizal hairy roots of Ocimum basilicum produce high amount of rosmarinic acid and are also valuable resource of quality mycorrhizal spores. To utilize their potential as continuous resource of biological and biochemical products, an efficient separation method is required. Solvent based extraction methods have a negative impact on mycorrhizal spore viability and vitality. Accordingly, we developed a biocompatible extraction method where spore and root viability is maintained with efficient extraction of rosmarinic acid. We screened temperature- and sonication-assisted techniques in ethanol, methanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, ionic liquid and surfactants. An inverse relationship was found between an increase in temperature and mycorrhizal and root viability. Optimum temperature for extraction was 30 °C. Most suitable solvents were 10% methanol; 0.25 M ionic liquid and dimethyl sulfoxide. Ethanol, nonane, dodecane, Triton X-100 and Tween-20 were not found suitable. Thus, our study sets a platform for optimization studies with mycorrhizal roots of other medicinal plants.
Keywords: Biocompatible; Hairy roots; Mycorrhiza; Rhizophagus irregularis; Rosmarinic acid.