Stability of anthocyanin composition in Ajuga reptans callus and cell suspension cultures

Callus cultures of Ajuga reptans flowers produced a complex mixture of cyanidin- and delphinidin-based pigments, of which more than 90% were acylated. The anthocyanin composition varied little during one growth period. During a time span of 5 years no new anthocyanin classes appeared. Quantitative differences in anthocyanin composition between the callus lines and during a 5 year time span were more pronounced. In general, the accumulation of delphinidin-based anthocyanins decreased. The percentage of acylated anthocyanins was stable in time. The accumulation of metabolically evolved anthocyanins (5'-substituted and acylated) decreased during passage from solid culture to liquid culture. The accumulation of acylated anthocyanins was influenced by the type of aeration in liquid cultures.