Formation of Benzophenanthridine Alkaloids by Suspension Cultures of Eschscholtzia californica

Abstract

Suspension cultures of Eschscholtzia californica accumulate the dihydro forms of the benzo- phenanthridine alkaloids sanguinarine, chelirubine, macarpine and chelerythrine, all of which are known to be constituents of the Eschscholtzia plant. Under most experimental conditions dihydrochelirubine was found to be the main constituent of the cultured cells. The specific yields of alkaloids varied from zero to 1.7% on a dry weight basis depending on the media conditions. The highest specific yield was 1.5 mg/g dry weight or 13 mg/1 with the growth medium B5. After transfer of the cells into the induction medium IM2 the alkaloid accumulation increased to 17 mg/g dry weight and 146 mg/1. The induction medium contained increased levels of sucrose, decreased levels of phosphate and was devoid of phytohormones. The effect of the various media conditions on the biosynthesis of phenolics was quite different to those found for the alkaloids.