Effects of light on physiology and camptothecin accumulation in Camptotheca acuminata callus

Camptothecin is produced by Camptotheca acuminata , which is a secondary metabolite with strong antitumor activity .To sustain a stable production of camptothecin , a number of attempts have been made for production of camptothecin by cell culture with Camptotheca acuminata .Effects of light on the contents of soluble protein , soluble carbohydrate , anthocyanins , activities of peroxidase (POD) and camptothecin accumulation in Camptotheca acuminata tissue callus were examined .The results showed that the contents of soluble protein , soluble carbohydrate were changed almost identical , and up to the peak after three weeks , and the contents of anthocyanins was increased remarkably in light (300 molm-2s-1) condition .The results also showed that the light had effects on physiology in Camptotheca acuminata cell line , and a little promotion on camptothecin accumulation with those in darkness .[ Ch , 5 fig .1 tab .14 ref .]