PHYTOECDYSTEROID PRODUCTION BY AJUGA-REPTANS TISSUE-CULTURES

Phytoecdysteroid production by in vitro cultures of root or shoot tissues of Ajuga reptans has been studied. The relationship of phytoecdysteroid concentration with source of tissue and hormone content in culture medium is discussed. Roots produced ecdysteroids when cultured isolated from the rest of the plant, whereas these compounds were not detected in shoots cultured in the absence of root. Ecdysteroid concentration was higher in cultures supplemented with hormones than in basal medium, and increased during the growing period. The C28/C29 ratio were very high and different from those observed in in vivo or in vitro whole plant cultures These results reveal that ecdysteroids in A. reptans are biosynthesized in the roots.