Studies on the Production of Comptothecin in in Vitro Cultured Roots of Camptotheca Acuminata

Roots were obtained from aseptic seedlings and used as materials for cultures on agar medium and liquid medium, and the production of comptothecin (CPT) in the roots was analyzed with histochemical means and thin layer chromatography. Results of the experiments showed that in vitro cultured roots could not only produce CPT, the ability of production was even higher than seedling roots. Moreover, it was observed that isolated roots could adapt well to liquid culture conditions. These findings indicate that industrial scale production of CPT by culture of roots might be achievable.