NOVEL METHOD OF ISOLATING TAXANES FROM CELL-SUSPENSION CULTURES OF YEW (TAXUS SPP)

A method is described to isolate a mixture of taxanes from cell suspen sion cultures of Taxus species. The aqueous suspension medium is pre-f iltered and centrifuged to remove cellular debris, and then passed thr ough either nylon or PVDF membranes. Contaminants are washed from the membranes and the taxanes are eluted with appropriate solvents. This m ethod provides a rapid, efficient, and inexpensive means of extracting taxanes from cell suspension medium, as well as a significant reducti on in the total volume of solvents used.