Studies on the Production of Anthraquinone Derivatives by Tissue Culture of Rubia Species

The tissue culture of Rubia cordifolia var. pratensis and R. akane were performed to enhance the biosynthesis of anthraquinone pigments under various conditions. The production of alizarin and purpurin in the callus was separately analysed and was quantitatively compared. The pigment biosynthesis was more active in the callus from R. cordifolia var. pratensis than from R. akane. The addition of ${\alpha}-ketoglutaric$ acid, a biosynthetic precursor of anthraquinones, enhanced the production of alizarin and purpurin remarkably.