Establishment of in vitro cultures and comparative biochemical profiling of in vitro and ex vitro plants of Dionaea muscipula J. Ellis and Drosera capensis L.

The aim of this study was to establish in vitro cultures of Dionaea muscipula J. Ellis and Drosera capensis L. and to compare selected biochemical and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy-based characteristics of in vitro and ex vitro (greenhouse) grown plants. Seeds, shoot apex, and flower stalk segments were used for culture initiation on ⅓-strength Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with selected plant growth regulators. Plant material was analyzed for total polyphenols, flavonoids, triterpenes, chlorophylls, and carotenoids, as well as for spectral features associated with structural components. In vitro-grown plants of both species showed higher contents of chlorophylls, total polyphenols, and triterpenes than ex vitro (greenhouse) grown plants, whereas flavonoid content was higher in ex vitro (greenhouse) grown material, particularly in D. muscipula . Carotenoid content differed between cultivation systems in D. capensis but remained comparable in D. muscipula . FTIR spectroscopy displayed stronger spectral features associated with cellulose, lignin, and pectin in ex vitro (greenhouse) grown plants. These results suggest that cultivation conditions are associated with distinct biochemical and structural characteristics in both species. The study provides a basis for further optimization of in vitro culture systems and targeted metabolite profiling in these carnivorous plants.