Enhancement of 20-hydroxyecdysone production in cell suspension cultures of Vitex glabrata R.Br. by precursors feeding

Abstract

The effect of ecdysteroid precursors feeding on cell growth and 20-hydroxyecdysone production of Vitex glabrata suspension cultures were studied. On the addition of cholesterol, there was no apparent
increase of 20-hydroxyecdysone while growth was partially inhibited at higher levels. Feeding of 7-dehydrocholesterol and ergosterol did not affect the cell growth. Both precursors effectively increased production of 20-hydroxyecdysone. Feeding of 7-dehydrocholesterol as a precursor was most effective. The maximum 20-hydroxyecdysone productivity of about 1.31 mg/L/day was observed in culture with 10 mg/L 7-dehydrocholesterol. This data is the first indication that 7-dehydrocholesterol and ergosterol
feeding are effective precursors for 20-hydroxyecdysone formation in plant cell suspension culture.