Production of (+)-Catechin in Root and Cell Suspension Cultures of Rheum palmatum L.

Abstract

Root and cell suspension cultures of Rheum palmatum were established and analyzed for the production of (+)-catechin. The effects of media and growth regulators on the growth and (+)-catechin formation in the root and cell cultures were also investigated. The content of (+)-catechin in the cells, cultured in MS liquid medium containing 1mg/l 2, 4-D, reached the level of 0.38% (dry weight, dw) at week 7 of the culture. In contrast, the root cultured in MS liquid medium containing 2mg/l NAA showed the highest level of (+)-catechin (0.24%, dw) at week 1 of the culture.