Ontogenic Aspects of Ginkgolide Production in Ginkgo biloba.

The ontogenic aspects of ginkgolide production were studied by using GINKGO BILOBA seedlings, greenhouse plants, young trees, mature trees cuttings, and plant tissue cultures. Ginkgolide yield appeared to be increased with the age of the plants when the plants were grown under the same environmental conditions. Ginkgolide content in the leaves was increased when seedlings, young plants, and young trees were treated with fluridone, a carotenoid biosynthesis inhibitor. Ginkgolides appeared to be independently biosynthesized in leaves and roots of the GINKGO and stored in root bark and stem as more hydroxylated forms such as ginkgolide B or ginkgolide C.