Maintenance of membrane integrity and increase of taxanes production in hazel (Corylus avellana L.) cells induced by low-intensity ultrasound.

Suspension-cultured hazel cells were ultrasonicated at power densities of 4 and 455 mW for 4-40 min. Both treatments stimulated the production of major taxanes: Taxol, 10-deacetylbaccatin, and baccatin III. The highest amounts of these taxanes (0.46, 0.26, and 0.07 mg/l, respectively) were obtained at 8 and 20 min of the treatment at 455 mW. Ultrasound had no adverse effects on cell viability, growth, or membrane integrity. Increased release of taxanes by ultrasound resulted not from increased membrane permeability but more likely from stimulation of taxanes biosynthesis.