Influence of medium composition on the accumulation of flavonolignans in cultured cells of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn

Flavonolignan production was examined in callus and cell suspension culture s derived from cotyledons of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. The flavonoligna n content in 2-month-old calluses was lower than the values obtained for fr uits (1.5%) and progressively decreased over repeated subcultures. Higher a ccumulation was observed in cell suspension cultures than in callus but con tinued to be very low with respect to the values obtained for fruits (14%). The growth and flavonolignan production of suspensions were tested using d ifferent concentrations of KNO3, KH2PO4, iron and calcium. Only the removal of calcium ions promoted flavonolignan accumulation, although under this c ondition, growth was significantly reduced. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Irela nd Ltd. All rights reserved.