Growth and production of camptothecin by cell suspension cultures of Nothapodytes foetida

Callus cultures were initiated from stem parts of Nothapodytes foetida on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with different growth regulators. Suspension cultures were established and the cell biomass was higher in the presence of NAA in comparison with 2,4-D. Culture medium supplemented with NAA (10.74 microM) and BA (2.22 microM) attained 31.3 g/l DW during 20 days of cultivation in shake flasks. In the presence of NAA, maximum concentrations of camptothecin (0.035 mg/ml) and 9-methoxycamptothecin (0.026 mg/ml) were found in the medium. Alkaloid production was reduced in presence of 2,4-D in the culture medium. Cells contained trace amount of alkaloids. Alkaloids were detected and identified by means of TLC and HPLC.