Influence of Sucrose on Levels of Ajmalicine, Serpentine, and Tryptamine in Catharanthus roseus Cells in vitro.

The fates of major nutritional elements and the synthesis of tryptophan, tryptamine and 2 alkaloid markers in C. ROSEUS cells, cultivated in media containing 20 and 60 g/l of sucrose, were studied. Sucrose effects were greatest, with these parameters, during the stationary growth phase. Intracellular ajmalicine and serpentine levels increased with sucrose concentration, whereas intracellular tryptamine (nitrogen precursor) levels were unaffected. The role of sucrose in the alkaloid pathway is discussed.