Alkaloid production in Catharanthus roseus cell cultures. VII. Effect of parameter changes and catabolism studies on cell line PRL No. 953

Catharanthus roseus cells suspended in production medium showed the presence of four Aspidosperma‐type alkaloids, however, no vindoline. Cells grown in media with the pH adjusted to 7.0 produced 3.3 mg total alkaloids/g dry weight. At pH 5.0, 1.7 mg of alkaloid/g dry weight was produced. (S)‐Adenosyl‐methionine did not stimulate the production of vindoline. When added to cell suspensions for 21 days, vindoline and catharanthine were degraded to non‐alkaloidal substances, not dimerized to bisindole alkaloids.