Effects of Inorganic Nitrogen Sources and Physical Factors on the Formation of Ubiquinone by Tobacco Plant Cells in Suspension Culture

In order to obtain basic information on ubiquinone (UQ) formation by BY-2 cells in suspension culture, effects of inorganic phosphate and nitrogen sources and such physical factors as initial pH, light irradiation, shaking condition and temperature were investigated. The concentration of phosphate and nitrogen sources had no marked effect, but the ratio of ammonium nitrogen to nitrate nitrogen was significantly effective on UQ formation. The UQ content in BY-2 cells tends to increase at higher ratios of ammonium nitrogen. The increase in the UQ content was recognized at higher concentrations of 2, 4-d, especially with lower concentrations of sucrose. Physical factors had no marked effect on UQ formation except temperature. The UQ content was considerably raised at higher temperatures.