Planta Med 1983; 49(12): 216-221
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-969854
Research Articles

© Hippokrates Verlag Stuttgart

Mono- and Diterpenes from Cell Cultures of Thuja occidentalis

L. Witte, J. Berlin, V. Wray, W. Schubert, W. Kohl, G. Höfle, J. Hammer
  • GBF - Gesellschaft für Biotechnologische Forschung mbH., Braunschweig-Stöckheim
Further Information

Publication History

1983

1983

Publication Date:
26 March 2007 (online)

Abstract

Cell cultures of Thuja occidentialis L. were found to biosynthesize various mono- and diterpenes when grown on B5-medium. The identification of the constituents was achieved mainly by capillary GLC-MS using fused silica columns and E.I.-mass spectrometry. Monoterpenes of the menthane type were only isolated from the culture medium whereas diterpenes were found in the cell extracts. Thujaplicin derivatives, monoterpenes of an irregular type, were detected in the medium as well as in the cells. Major differences were found between the terpene composition of the cell culture extracts and those from Thuja leaves. The cell cultures accumulated some compounds which are presently unknown as constituents of Thuja plants. On the other hand, the cultures were evidently unable to synthesize the thujone type of monoterpenes.