DAURICINE PRODUCTION IN CULTURED ROOTS OF MENISPERMUM DAURICUM
Root cultures of Menispermum dauricum were established from adventitious roots formed on the leaf segments.These roots produce dauricine as a major constituent and the optimum conditions for dauricine production in cultured roots were investigated. a dauricine content of more than 0.5percent dry weight was achieved in Gamborg's B5 medium containing 3percent surcose and 7.5 μM NAA.Tyrosine and tyramine, possible precursors of dauricinine, increased dauricine formation.There was a positive correlation between dauricine content and root growth.