Regulation of Product Synthesis in Cell Cultures of Catharanthus roseus. II. Comparison of Production Media¹

Abstract

A comparison has been made of the various media used for alkaloid production by cell cultures of Catharanthus roseus. The effect of the different phytohormone regimes has been compared with respect to alkaloid yields, the rate of alkaloid accumulation and the ability of the cells to survive repeated subculture. The underlying factor which appears to control alkaloid induction is the level of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in the medium. In all cases where the level of 2,4-D was reduced, alkaloid production increased. Addition of 2,4-D to cultures growing on a production media confirmed the inhibitory action of 2,4-D on alkaloid biosynthesis.

A new production medium has been developed with naphthalene-acetic acid (NAA) and kinetin giving cell cultures with high growth rates over repeated subcultures and with high rates of alkaloid production. Thus instead of two stage production a one stage production system seems to be possible.