Production of L-DOPA from cell suspension culture of Mucuna pruriens f. pruriens.

Production of L-DOPA was studied in cell suspension culture of Mucuna pruriens f. pruriens. Suspension culture was established in MSI medium composed of half concentration of Murashige and Skoog's salts and 2% sucrose. A two-stage cell suspension culture was developed for enhanced accumulation of L-DOPA. In the first stage, the culture system was composed of MSI medium without CaCl, which was suitable for cell growth and in the second stage MSI medium containing 42.5 mg.l(-1) KH2PO4 and 4% sucrose favoured L-DOPA production. A discernible higher production of L-DOPA was obtained in this two-stage cell suspension culture in comparison to single stage culture.