Modeling of tanshinone synthesis and phase distribution under the combined effect of elicitation and in situ adsorption in Salvia miltiorrhiza hairy root cultures.

Modeling of tanshinone synthesis and phase distribution under the combined effect of elicitation and adsorption was studied. The simulated results showed that enhancement of tanshinone production was mainly due to the effect of the elicitor and that resin addition resulted in adsorbance of the tanshinones from the root and alteration of tanshinone distribution. Furthermore, parameter sensitivities analysis showed that the rate of transport of tanshinones from the root to the medium was the important factor that influenced tanshinone accumulation in the resin. In conclusion, the modeling of tanshinone synthesis and phase distribution identified the process mechanism under the combined effect of elicitation and adsorption and this modeling can be used in similar plant tissue culture systems.