Production of (-)-Epicatechin 3-O-gallate in Cell Suspension Cultures of Saxifraga stolonifera Meerb

Cell suspension cultures of Saxifraga stolonifera Meerb. were established in MS liquid medium containing 1μM NAA by using the callus induced from adventitious roots of cultured plantlets, and the production of (-)-epicatechin 3-O-gallate (ECG) was confirmed (0.6% of dry weight). The effects of the concentration of major inorganic salts and plant growth regulators in the medium on ECG production were examined. Reduction of KH2PO4 or MgSO4 concentration in MS medium enhanced ECG production. Maximum ECG contents, 1.6% and 1.2%, were obtained at half the original concentration for KH2PO4 and at one-eighth that for MgSO4, respectively. In the modified MS medium, where KH2PO4 and MgSO4 concentration were reduced, increased NAA levels suppressed ECG production, while the addition of BAP stimulated it. Maximum ECG production (2.5%) was achieved in the modified MS medium containing 1μM NAA and 1μM BAP.