Enhanced production of taxuyunnanine c in cell suspension cultures of Taxus chinensis by methyl jasmonate elicitation and in situ absorption

A bioprocess intensification strategy that combines both elicitation and in situ absorption was developed to improve the production of taxuyunnanine c (Tc) in cell suspension cultures of Taxus chinensis. When 100 μmol/L methyl jasmonate was added as an elicitor on Day 7, the Tc content and yield increased 3.6 and 3.3 times respectively, however the cell growth was reduced by 10%-30%. Significant improvement in Tc yield was observed when an absorbent XAD-7 was added on different time of the culture period. The optimum Tc yield was achieved when 100 g/L XAD-7 was added simultaneously with 100 μmol/L methyl jasmonate on Day 7. The maximum Tc yield of 477.4 mg/L was obtained on Day 21 of the culture, being 6.3-fold of the control and 1.9-fold of the 100 μmol/L methyl jasmonate treatment alone. In the combined treatment, 94% of the Tc produced was secreted outside of the cells and absorbed on XAD-7 absorbents. The results demonstrated that the process strategy combining elicitation and in situ absorption was effective to intensify the Tc biosynthesis via elicitation with the removal of product feedback inhibition via absorption, presenting a great potential in commercial applications.