Planta Med 1999; 65(7): 620-626
DOI: 10.1055/s-1999-14088
Original Paper

Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Production of Ginkgolides and Bilobalide by Ginkgo biloba Plants and Tissue Cultures

Jean-Pierre Balz1 , Didier Courtois2 , Jean Drieu3 , Katy Drieu4 , Jean-Paul Reynoird5 , Christine Sohier5 , Beng Poon Teng4 , André Touché2 , Vincent Pétiard2
  • 1 Beaufour-Schwabe Consultant, Chemin Fin Delez, Le Muids, Switzerland
  • 2 Centre de Recherche Nestlé Tours, Tours, France
  • 3 S.C.A. Saint Jean d'Illac, Paris, France
  • 4 Institut Henri Beaufour, Les Ulis, France
  • 5 S.C.A. Saint Jean d'Illac, c/o Centre de Recherche Nestlé Tours, Tours, France
Further Information

Publication History

December 18, 1998

May 1, 1999

Publication Date:
31 December 1999 (online)

Abstract:

The accumulation of the terpenes ginkgolides and bilobalide in Ginkgo biloba was reported in plants as well as in plant cell cultures. Several hundred plants cultivated under controlled conditions in the field have been analyzed for their terpene production over many years. Cross-pollination experiments were performed with mature trees and the terpene content of the progeny was analyzed. The age of the tree is the main factor influencing the terpene content of the leaves as the level always decreases dramatically between young and old trees. 80 cell culture strains have been established and ginkgolides analyzed by GC/MS. These cell cultures reveal very low amounts of terpenes (1 μg g-1 D.W. or less). On the contrary, isolated in vitro root cultures accumulate terpenes at the same concentration as the young plant leaves (4 mg g-1 D.W.). Attempts to obtain rapid growing roots or even hairy-roots did not succeed but the possibility to transform Ginkgo cell strains has been demonstrated.