Antifungal monoterpene production in elicited cell suspension cultures of Piqueria trinervia

Cell suspension cultures of the traditional medicinal plant Piqueria triner via Cav., which synthesizes monoterpene piquerol A, were established. A def ense response was induced in the cultures when eight homogenized fungi isol ated from wild populations of P. trinervia were added. Piquerol A was not p roduced in the elicited system, while four other substances were synthesize d de novo. They were excreted into the medium and inhibited in vitro fungal growth. The most abundant substance produced in this system was a new mono terpene: 2-methylene-7,7-dimethylbicyclo (3,3,1) heptane-4,6-diol. Monoterp enes in the cell suspension culture reported here were produced via two met abolic channels: the first acted constitutively and expressed in liquid and solid cultures, the second is inducible in response to several pathogens a nd elicitor substances. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.