FACTORS AFFECTING THE GLUCOSYLATION CAPACITY OF CELL-CULTURES OF DATURA-INNOXIA AND SCOPOLIA-CARNIOLICA FOR MONOPHENOLIC COMPOUNDS

Suspension grown cells of Datura innoxia and Scopolia carniolica were tested for their glucosylation capacity and some factors affecting the efficiency of the reaction were studied.

Cells at the end of the exponential growth phase showed a high glucosylation capacity. Light conditions had little effect on the bioconversion reaction. For the substrates hydroquinone and p-hydroxybenzoic acid the bioconversions were concentration-dependent. Permeabilization with propanol diminished the bioconversion capacity. Depending on the substrate used, relatively large amounts of substrate and product could not be recovered. Tannic acid could partly prevent decomposition of the compounds. The bioconversion capacity of cultures with a low glucosylation capacity could be enhanced by addition of uridine diphosphate-glucose, indicating that the sugar donor is a critical factor. From six substrates the natural compounds hydroquinone, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and vanillin were glucosylated. No glucosides were detected from tyramin and two synthetic aminotetralines.