Production of reserpine and its optimization in cultured Rauwolfia serpentina Benth. cells.

Cultured R. serpentina cells have been maintained on modified Linsmaier-Skoog medium for over 13 years. These cultured cells produced much more ajmaline (0.005-0.012% dW) than reserpine (0-0.003% dW). Selection of callus which survived the stress induced by alteration of the medium composition including hormones, was repeated over several generations. Surviving callus was then transferred back to the original liquid growth medium and subculture continued, during which time the cells exhibited a return to their pre- stress rate of growth, enhanced reserpine production, and a decrease in ajmaline production. R. serpentina cell suspension cultures selected as described and serially subcultured in fresh growth medium every 3 weeks consistently produce reserpine at a yield of approximately 0.03-0.06% dW.