Effects of buffered media upon growth and alkaloid production of Catharanthus roseus hairy roots

The influence of buffered media upon the growth and alkaloid productivity o f Catharanthus roseus hairy root culture was examined. As expected, the buf fers minimized shifts in the pH of the media and had slightly negative effe cts upon growth. The growth of the hairy roots remained optimal in unbuffer ed media. The specific yield of lochnericine was significantly lower in res ponse to the addition of buffers, while tabersonine was significantly highe r. In contrast, the specific yields of ajmalicine, serpentine, and horhamme ricine remained unchanged.