The effect of initial phosphate and sucrose levels on nicotine accumulation in batch suspension cultures of Nicotiana tabacum L.

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.