Berberine Production by Cell Suspension Cultures of Cork Tree (Phellodendron amurense Rupr)

Various culture conditions for cell growth and berberine production in cork tree (Phellodendron amurense Rupr.) were investigated. Callus was induced from cambium tissue of cork tree, and cultured on LS liquid medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/1 2,4-D, 0.1mg/1 BA, and 3% sucrose. Several factors enhancing berberine production and cell growth in cork tree cell cultures were found. Some of them enhanced both cell growth and berberine production, but others resulted in a decoupling of cell growth and berberine production with significant in the specific levels. High level of nitrate (80mM), high level of phosphate (8.98mM), and sucrose (7%), 1.0mg/l IAA were effective in berberine production, whereas low level of nitrate (40mM), and phosphate (2.25mM), and high level of sucrose (7%) in the medium were effective in cell growth. Two stage culture(first stage for cell growth, and second stage for berberine production) increased berberine production almost twice (5.06mg/g dry weight) as much as single stage cultures in berberine production.