| Abstract | Synthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites, i.e. terpenoids, steroids phenolics, alkaloids in plant cell cultures have frequently been reviewed over the last few years. “Plant Tissue Culture and Its Bio-technological Application” edited by Barz, Reinhard and Zenk, published in 1977, continues to be a rich source of information. Screening the information would convey the view that of all natural products alkaloids have received the most attention. Certainly, alkaloids are the most numerous group of secondary products, they comprise a great number of physiologically active compounds, and cell cultures accumulating alkaloids have lent themselves well to be used as model systems for studies on industrial application. When reporting on advances in plant cell culture towards improved yields of secondary products, a limitation to alkaloids may thus be justified. |
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