Alkaloid production in Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don. : VI. Variation in alkaloid spectra of cell lines derived from one single leaf.

Analysis of 76 cell clones derived from one leaf of a periwinkle plant (Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don) showed the occurrence of Corynanthe-, Strychnos-, and Aspidosperma-type alkaloids. The majority of clones (62%) displayed compounds of all three types. Variation of the alkaloid spectra of the cell clones was low when compared to that found previously with serially subcultured callus and cell suspensions derived from different plants.