Biopolymers and cell. 2006; 22 (2): 149 - 156

The indoline alkaloids accumulation by Rauwolfia serpentina cell lines upon surface and submerged maintenance

V. A. Kunakh, J. Al-Ammouri, N. Ju. Miryuta, L. P. Mozhylevska

Indoline alkaloids accumulation, including ajmaline, in the biomass of R. serpentina cell line culture on the example of hormone independent highly productive strain K-27 at its surface and submerged maintenance in nutrient media with differing mineral composition has been studied. Optimal nutrient media for both ways of maintenance have been identified. The conditions for two-step maintenance in surface, followed by submerged cultures, in compositionally simple nutrient media have been specified. Two-step maintenance increases alkaloids accumulation at the early stages of growth 3 — 4 times and allows decreasing the time of callus tissue growing from 60 — 80 days to 20 — 40 days.

Key words: ajmaline, indoline alkaloids, plant tissue culture, R. serpentine, cell lines — alkaloids producents.