Effect of precursors and organic compounds on alkaloid production in transformed root cultures of Catharanthus roseus var. nirmal

Transformed root cultures of Catharanthus roseus Linn. (Apocynaceae) were supplied with precursors and organic compounds that interfere with precursor metabolism to understand more about alkaloid production. Alkaloid biosynthesis was found to be limited by the supply of loganin but not tryptamine during stationary growth phase. Moreover, multiple feedings of loganin increased the accumulation of alkaloids, supporting the importance of terpenoid pathway in alkaloid biosynthesis. Significant improvements in productivity were seen with phenobarbital and succinic acid, which provide further evidence for the regulatory role of G10H and of non-mevalonate pathway in alkaloid biosynthesis in C. roseus .