VARIATION IN VINBLASTINE PRODUCTION BY CATHARANTHUS-ROSEUS DURING IN-VIVO AND IN-VITRO DIFFERENTIATION

Production of vinblastine, an anticancer agent, by Catharanthus roseus , increased as the seedlings matured, attaining a steady concentration after the plants become more than 3-month-old. Vinblastine could be d etected in the callus lines established from different explants. As th e callus differentiated multiple shoots, the vinblastine production in creased rapidly, equalizing to that of in vivo seedlings of similar ag e. The high degree of differentiation and maturity in the tissues of C atharanthus was correlative to the increased vinblastine production, b oth in vivo and in vitro. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights re served.