Effect of cryoprotectant solution and of cooling rate on crystallization temperature in cryopreserved Hypericum perforatum cell suspension cultures.

Background: The increasing demand for hypericins and hyperforins, the unique pharmaceuticals found in the Hypericum genus, requires the development of effective tools for long-term storage of cells and tissues with unique biochemical profiles.

Objective: To determine the temperature of crystallization (T(C)) and of ice formation of 14 cryoprotectant mixtures (CMs) for their use in cryoprotection of H. perforatum L.

Xanthones from roots, hairy roots and cell suspension cultures of selected Hypericum species and their antifungal activity against Candida albicans.

Highest xanthone contents were found in Hypericum pulchrum and H. annulatum untransformed roots. The best anti- Candida activity was obtained for hairy roots extracts of H.