Production of (+)-5-deoxystrigol by Lotus japonicus root culture.

Lotus japonicus roots, cultured in a modified B5 medium, produced and secreted germination stimulants that induced Striga hermonthica seed germination. The germination-inducing activity was detected both in the roots and the culture filtrate. Following bioassay-guided purification procedures, an active compound was isolated from hexane extracts of the roots and the culture filtrate. Based on chromatographic behaviour on HPLC, and 1H NMR, UV, MS and CD spectroscopic analyses, the germination stimulant was identified as (+)-5-deoxystrigol.