STIMULATION OF PRENYLATED FLAVANONE PRODUCTION BY MANNANS AND ACIDIC POLYSACCHARIDES IN CALLUS-CULTURE OF SOPHORA-FLAVESCENS

The effect of polysaccharides on the production of prenylated flavanones sophoraflavanone G and lehmannin in Sophora flavescens callus culture was investigated. The production of these flavanones was stimulated up to 5 times by the addition of 2 mg/ml yeast extract. The active component was partially purified as a mannan (c 92% of mannose and c 5% glucose) by DEAE-cellulose and Concanavalin A-Sepharose column chromatographies. Acidic polysaccharides also stimulated the production of prenylated flavanones. The effect of pectin was higher than that of pectinic acid from the same source. Other polysaccharides such as cellulose, beta-1,3-glucan and chitosan did not influence the productivity.