ELICITOR-MEDIATED INDUCTION OF ISOCHORISMATE SYNTHASE AND ACCUMULATION OF 2,3-DIHYDROXY BENZOIC-ACID IN CATHARANTHUS-ROSEUS CELL-SUSPENSIONAND SHOOT CULTURES

After elicitation, cell suspension cultures of Catharanthus roseus acc umulate phenolic compounds. The major phenolic compound produced was i solated and identified as 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA). The accumu lation of this compound is a rapid response to the addition of elicito r; within 6 h after the addition of elicitor, DHBA concentration reach ed 6.3 mg/l cell suspension. DHBA was not detected in non-elicited cel ls. The formation of DHBA in elicited cells was correlated with the in duction of the enzyme isochorismate synthase (ICS). Shoot cultures of C. roseus also presented a strong induction of ICS after elicitation. Due to its biological activity, DHBA could play a role in the defence mechanism of C. roseus.