SYNTHESIS, ACCUMULATION, AND LOCATION OF STEROID GLYCOSIDES IN CELLS OF DIFFERENT STRAINS OF DIOSCOREA-DELTOIDEA WALL

We studied the qualitative and quantitative composition, accumulation, and location of steroid glycosides in four strains of cell culture of Dioscorea deltoidea Wall. Reardless of activity of endogenous beta-gl ucosidases, all strains are characterized by the presence of steroid g lycosides only in the furostanol form. The qualitative composition of steroid glycosides is the same for all four strains and is represented by four compounds: deltoside, protodioscin (aglycone diosgeinin), and their 25S analogs (aglycone yamogenin). The strains differ significan tly in quantitative content of saponins, strain DM-0.5 being a superpr oducer in regard to these compounds (up to 12% of cell dry mass). The content of steroid glycosides is analyzed in cells of strain DM-0.5 an d protoplasts obtained from it. These compounds are shown to be locate d in protoplasts and the free space of cells. their quantitative distr ibution varying with culture age.