INDUCER EFFECT OF TWEEN-20 PERMEABILIZATION TREATMENT USED FOR RELEASE OF STORED TROPANE ALKALOIDS IN DATURA-INNOXIA MILL HAIRY ROOT CULTURES

The effects of Tween 20 as permeabilizing agent on tropane alkaloids f rom Datura innoxia Mill. hairy root cultures have been studied. The ki netics of the alkaloid release is detailed and shows three different s tages : an initial rapid increase of the alkaloid level within die roo ts and in the culture medium, followed by a slower but higher increase of the alkaloid concentration in the medium. During this phase, the a lkaloid concentration within die roots returned to a lower value. Fina lly, after a longer time, the quantity of hyoscyamine in the medium de creased significantly with a variable rate. According to the total alk aloid content per flask determinations under different conditions, it is clearly demonstrated that Tween treatment permeabilized the roots, but also acted as an inducer.