Stilbene production by Vitis vinifera cell suspension cultures:: Methyl jasmonate induction and 13C biolabeling

Vitis vinifera cells grown in vitro respond to methyl jasmonate (MeJa) with enhancement of phytoalexin accumulation. MeJa added during the first half of the exponential growth phase increased the intracellular accumulation of stilbenes, mainly (Z)- and (E)-piceid (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene-3-O-P-glucoside), in strains grown in either maintenance medium or polyphenol inductive medium. Plant cell cultures were used to produce isotopically (C-13) labeled stilbenes by addition of C-13 phenylalanine at different time intervals and in various concentrations. Incorporation of C-13 phenylalanine into stilbenes was measured by EA-IRMS, and three successive 2-mM phenylalanine additions provided the best result (66%). This allowed production of C-13 labeled Vitis vinifera phenolic compounds for investigation of their absorption in humans.