S. Inomata et al., GROWTH-PATTERN AND GINSENOSIDE PRODUCTION OF AGROBACTERIUM-TRANSFORMED PANAX-GINSENG ROOTS, Plant cell reports, 12(12), 1993, pp. 681-686
Panax ginseng roots transformed by Agrobacterium rhizogenes grew rapid
ly in a hormone-free medium. The transformed roots showed biphasic gro
wth: rapid during the first two weeks and slower thereafter. Sucrose i
n the medium was almost all converted to glucose and fructose during t
he first two weeks, and the root growth slowed down after the depletio
n of sucrose in the medium. Periodic changes of the medium maintained
the high growth rate, and the dry weight increased by 31 times in 32 d
ays, which is the highest growth rate so far reported for cultured tis
sues of ginseng. The medium exchange also increased the ginsenoside co
ntent in the roots. Effective scale-up of the root culture was achieve
d in a turbine-blade type bioreactor.