Occurrence of (-)-Geosm in and Other Terpenoids in an Axenic Culture of the Liverwort Symphyogyna brongniartii

Abstract

An axenic culture of Symphyogyna brongniartii has been initiated from spores on modified Benecke medium. Growth was best on Gam borg B5 medium with 0.3% sucrose, with a doubling time of 36 days. The culture produced the same terpenoids as plants growing in their natural habitat, perrottetianal A being the major constituent. Also found were bicyclogermacrene, β-barbatene, δ-selinene, β-cubebene, spathulenol, and (-)-geosm in . The latter compound was hitherto only known from microorganisms. Synthesis rate of terpenoids during the passage period and quantitative differences in terpenoid production on different mineral media were investigated.