The effect of nitrogen and carbon sources on growth and diosgenin production was studied with Dioscorea deltoidea cells which were grown under defined conditions in a chemostat, and transferred to batch cultures. Both ammonium and nitrate nitrogen were required for growth and steroid production; diosgenin production was maximal at higher amounts of nitrogen. The nature and concentration of the carbon source (sugar) had marked effects on diosgenin production. A maximal amount of diosgenin (3.8% of dry wt.) was produced on sucrose (15 g/liter) after 21 days of growth in a batch culture.
Dioscorea deltoidea
- Suspension culture - Diosgenin - Nitrogen and carbon effects
