Autoclaved fungal mycelia increase diosgenin production in cell suspension cultures of Dioscorea deltoidea.

The addition of autoclaved mycelia of non-host specific fungi to cell suspension cultures of Dioscorea deltoidea improved diosgenin production by as much as 72% compared to control cultures. Phytoalexin elicitors laminarin, arachidonic acid and chitin added to D. deltoidea cultures had no stimulating effect on the diosgenin level.