Effect of auxin on cytodifferentiation and production of quinoline alkaloids in compact globular structures of Cinchona ledgeriana.

Fine cell suspension cultures of Cinchona ledgeriana produce only very low amounts of quinoline alkaloids. These cultures formed self-propagating compact globular structures (CGS) on medium containing 2,4-D and BAP. These CGS could be induced to produce significant amounts of quinoline alkaloids by replacing 2,4-D by low amounts of 1-NAA, which was accompanied by histological changes of the CGS. A few high producing CGS clones could be selected. The stability of this trait was studied over a period of about one year of culture in maintenance medium.