Tea(Camellia sp.) is a non-alcoholic drink consumed across the globe. Upon
consumption, it provides refreshment and enormous health benefits. Tea possesses
antioxidant compounds which prevent human health from several diseases and
disorders as well. Micropropagation and somatic embryogenesis are two distinct cell
and tissue culture methods which have been utilized for a long time for the production
of secondary metabolites having economical and industrial values. Micropropagation is
a clonal propagation method accomplished by selection of explants and establishment
of culture in basal media followed by shoot multiplication, development of callus,
rhizogenesis, hardening and acclimatization by transferring plantlets from the
laboratory to an open environment in the greenhouse or in the field. Somatic
embryogenesis is the development of embryos from somatic cells, not from the zygotic
cells. It consists of induction, multiplication, development and maturation of the
embryo. Globular, heart and torpedo, these three distinguishable developmental stages
are visible in somatic embryogenesis. Numerous genes associated with cell division,
organ formation and specific cellular processes related to somatic embryogenesis have
been identified. Tea possesses several secondary metabolites which have versatile
functions. Caffeine, theobromine and theophylline are typical secondary metabolites
which impart characteristic taste and flavour to tea. In addition, polyphenols, catechins,
proanthocyanin and flavonoids act as antioxidant compounds and possess several
health benefits. Various cell and tissue culture methods have been adopted for the
biosynthesis of secondary metabolites on laboratory and industrial scales. These
methods can be adopted on a larger scale, from experimental laboratory investigation to
the industrial setup for the discovery of novel metabolic compounds for their potential
applications as medicines and in commercial sectors.
Keywords: Antioxidants, Callus, Micropropagation, Somatic embryogenesis, Secondary metabolites, Tea.
