TAXOL CONTENT OF STORED FRESH AND DRIED TAXUS CLIPPINGS

The taxol content of dried Taxus biomass was monitored monthly for 15 months. Intact and finely ground biomass was stored at room temperatur e (22 degrees-24 degrees) as well as under refrigeration (2 degrees-4 degrees). In addition, intact fresh clippings stored under refrigerati on in sealed plastic bags for up to 10 weeks were evaluated for change s in taxol content. Analysis indicates that properly dried Taxus clipp ings can be stored either intact or powdered at room temperature or un der refrigeration with no apparent loss of taxol content. The taxol co ntent in fresh intact clippings was also stable for at least 10 weeks when stored under refrigeration.