The accumulation of isocamptothecin A and B in suspension cell culture of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Camptotheca acuminata</Emphasis>

The initiation of the suspension culture of Camptotheca acuminata M42 cell line was reported. Isocamptothecin A (ICPTA) and isocamptothecin B (ICPTB), two alkaloids that do not exist in the parent plant were identified in the suspension cell culture of Camptotheca acuminata. Suspension cell culture was carried out in both flasks and a 5-l airlift bioreactor and the time course for cell growth and accumulations of ICPTA and ICPTB were investigated. It was found that accumulations of ICPTA and ICPTB was partly associated with cell growth and the size of cell aggregates affected the contents of ICPTA and ICPTB in the cultures to some extent (cell aggregates with a size of 2--4 mm in diameter presented the highest ICPTA and ICPTB contents). Although the cell dry weight of 15.1 g l^-1 achieved in a 5-l airlift bioreactor was lower than that in flasks, 18.4 g l^-1, the contents of ICPTA and ICPTB were almost the same levels.