ABSORPTION AND INCREASE IN THE PRODUCTION OF PRENYLATED FLAVANONES INSOPHORA-FLAVESCENS CELL-SUSPENSION CULTURES BY CORK PIECES

The accumulation sites of prenylated flavanones in Sophora flavescens cell suspension cultures were investigated. Quantitative analysis of t he contents of prenylated flavanones in the protoplasts revealed that these flavanones were localized mainly in the cell walls. To collect p renylated flavanones from the cultured cells, several absorbents such as liquid paraffin, Amberlite XAD-2, activated carbon and commercially available cork pieces were added to the culture medium. Amberlite XAD -2 collected about 50% of the total prenylated flavanones from the cel ls, whereas cork pieces collected more than 70%. By the addition of co rk pieces, the production of prenylated flavanones could be increased by 2-5 times compared with that of the control. Copyright (C) 1996 Els evier Science Ltd