IMPROVEMENT OF THE PRODUCTION OF 5-METHOXYPODOPHYLLOTOXIN USING A NEW SELECTED ROOT CULTURE OF LINUM-FLAVUM L

A new, morphologically root-like cell line of Linum flavum was selected and used for the optimization of the production of 5-methoxypodophyllotoxin. The omittance of naphthaleneacetic acid from the medium resulted in further root formation, which was accompained with a 2.6 fold increase of 5-methoxypodophyllotoxin levels. The feeding of the phenylpropanoids L-tyrosine and L-phenylalanine resulted in enhanced 5-methoxypodophyllotoxin contents. After the removal of vitamins together with the phytohormone from the medium, 5-methoxypodophyllotoxin levels were enhanced 6 times. The maximal content ever found using this production medium was 1.01% on a dry weight basis. The application of higher sucrose concentrations led to proportional biomass increase, cells grown on 6% sucrose resulted in the highest yield, 121.4 mg 1(-1) 5-methoxypodophyllotoxin.