Elicitor-Induced Accumulation of Acridone Alkaloid Epoxides in Ruta graveolens Suspension Cultures

Abstract

Light and dark grown suspension cultures of Ruta graveolens produced small amounts (1-50 µg/g dry weight) of the antimicrobial alkaloids rutacridone epoxide and hydroxyrutacridone epoxide. Acrid-one epoxide accumulation could be increased up to a 100 fold within 72 h by elicitation through addition of a suspension of either living free or immobilized yeasts, of dead Rhodotorula rubra cells or crude cell wall fraction. Chitosan and alginate, exhibiting elicitor properties in other systems, scarcely had an effect, arachidonic acid and elaidic acid were ineffective. The elicitors of acridone epoxide accumulation did not effect an increase of rutacridone in Ruta cultures.