Growth and rosmarinic acid production in cell suspension cultures of Salvia officinalis L.

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a natural antioxidant produced by cell suspension cultures of sage (Salvia officinalis L.). The growth and production of RA by these cells can be modified by the type of culture medium. Production can be increased 10-fold to attain 6.4 g.1(-1) under optimal conditions. Investigation of kinetics showed that a change in the medium caused shifts in peaks of growth and production, and modifications of the cell metabolism. RA production can be correlated with growth or begins only when growth has stopped.