Production of indole alkaloids in Catharanthus roseus L. Hairy root cultures

Abstract

Hairy root cultures of Catharanthus roseus L. induced by Agrobacterium rhizogenes have been studied extensively by several research groups for the production of the valuable indole alkaloids. Due to the pharmaceutical importance and the low content of indole alkaloids in this plant, C. roseus became one of the best-studied medicinal plants. Various biotechnological approaches, such as pathway engineering, precursor feeding and scaling up in bioreactors, etc., have been explored to improve the production of secondary metabolites from this plant species. The hairy roots proved to be a sustainable source for the economic mass in vitro production of indole alkaloids such as pharmaceutically valuable anticancer alkaloids: vinblastine and vincristine. This chapter provides a comprehensive account of the hairy root cultures of C. roseus L. and various biotechnological methods used to elevate the production of pharmaceutically important indole alkaloids. The chapter also indicates how biotechnological endeavors might improve the future progress of research for production of alkaloids using C. roseus L. hairy roots.