Production of shikonin derivatives by cell suspension cultures of Lithospermum erythrorhizon : I. Effects of nitrogen sources on the production of shikonin derivatives.

Shikonin derivatives were produced from cell suspension cultures of Lithospermum erythrorhizon for the first time. The results of studies on various culture media showed that the type of nitrogen source in the medium greatly influenced the production of these derivatives. When nitrate was the nitrogen source, stable production of shikonin derivatives by the cell suspension culture took place. We also found that ammonium as the nitrogen source conspicuously inhibited the production of shikonin derivatives.