title: The effect of initial phosphate and sucrose levels on nicotine accumulation in batch suspension cultures of Nicotiana tabacum L.
abstract: A system of liquid batch culture of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv NC2512) is described in which up to 2% nicotine accumulates on a dry weight basis. Nicotine accumulation is first detected in cultures when medium phosphate is completely depleted. By reducing initial medium phosphate to 1/10th levels normally employed, alkaloid accumulation is accelerated while the raising of initial medium sucrose (30-50 g 1(-1)) results in a five-fold increase in peak accumulation of nicotine. The roles of medium phosphate and sucrose levels in culture growth and nicotine production are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, University of Leicester, University Road, LE1 7RH, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Mantell
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Hazell
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Smith