Pinoresinol and matairesinol accumulation in a Forsythia x intermedia cellsuspension culture

A newly established Forsythia x intermedia cell suspension culture was show n to accumulate (+)- and (-)-pinoresinol as well as matairesinol. The influ ence of the sucrose content of the culture medium and of the cultivation ti me on pinoresinol and matairesinol accumulation was evaluated. The highest pinoresinol yield was achieved from cells grown in medium containing 6% suc rose for 12 +/- 2 days with levels of 0.6-0.8 mg g(-1) dry weight and an av erage enantiomeric composition of 75 +/- 5% (+)-pinoresinol. The highest ma tairesinol amount was reached in the same medium at the 14th +/- 2 culture day with levels of 1.0-2.7 mg g(-1) dry weight. To our knowledge, this is t he first report on pinoresinol accumulation in Forsythia x intermedia plant s or cell suspension cultures.