High anthocyanin accumulation in the dark by strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) callus

Fragaria ananassa (strawberry) callus, which produced high amounts of antho cyanin in the dark, was isolated from a cell line not producing anthocyanin . The isolated callus (FAR) was homogeneous and more than 90% of the cells were pigmented. The FAR callus accumulated more than 1000 mu g of anthocyan in per g fresh cell in the dark. Four different basal solid media were exam ined to maintain FAR callus: Though growth rate and anthocyanin concentrati on were different on each media, total anthocyanin production was about the same at 400 mu g anthocyanin/0.1 g fresh cell wt after 22 days. This FAR c ell line could therefore be used for the industrial production of anthocyan in.