Flavonoid Production in Transformed Root Cultures of Scutellaria baicalensis

Agrobacterium rhizogenes LBA 9402 transformed root cultures of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Lamiaceae) were established and examined in respect to their capability to produce flavonoids characteristic of roots of the intact plant. The flavonoids were quantified by RP-HPLC after previous acid hydrolysis of glycosides to the corresponding aglycones. An effect of a nutrient medium composition on growth and flavonoid content in the cultures was studied. Optimum for flavonoid production was half-strength Gamborg B5 medium containing 5-7% sucrose. Roots grown in the medium yielded up to 7% dry weight of baicalein, 1.9 % dry weight of wogonin and 1.3 % dry weight of oroxylin A.