NORDAMNACANTHAL, A MAJOR ANTHRAQUINONE FROM AN AGROBACTERIUM-RHIZOGENES-INDUCED ROOT CULTURE OF RUBIA-TINCTORUM

Wounding of explanted Rubia tinctorum cotyledons followed by infection with the agropine-type Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain LBA 9402 (NCPP B1855; pRi1855) resulted in a root line, called rRT1, with a hairy roo t phenotype. This line was characterized with respect to its growth ki netics and anthraquinone production in modified B5 liquid medium. The H-1-nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of a dichloromethane extract o f lyophilized root culture revealed the anthraquinone nordamnacanthal being a major product. Furthermore alizarin could be detected. Anthraq uinone production by the root culture was compared to that of the root system of a R. tinctorum plant. The anthraquinone content of the root culture and the root system were respectively 130 and 179 mu mol g(-1 ) dry weight.