Abstract: Methods for obtaining taxanes from novel sources are disclosed. Angiosperms other than hazelnut and the gymnosperm ginkgo have been discovered to be sources of taxane, including paclitaxel. Taxane may also be obtained from fungal endophytes from these plants. Methods for optimizing the recovery of taxane from plant sources are disclosed in which a plant part is surface-sterilized before extracting taxane therefrom or before culturing fungal endophytes therefrom.

Abstract: Taxol, an antineoplastic drug, has shown cytotoxic activity against numerous malignant tumors including: breast cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, and skin cancer. Taxol is found in many species of yew including: slow-growing Taxus brevifolia and faster-growing Taxus media X Hicksii. Yew tree cuttings were cultured and the medium was extracted weekly, bi-weekly, and tri-weekly over a period of nine weeks. Taxol and other taxanes were separated through a multi-step procedure using hexane extractions, C-18 Sep Pak cartridges, and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The concentration of the taxanes was then calculated. Taxol and other taxanes can continue to be transferred into a culture medium and extracted over a nine-week period. There is a higher yield when extracted weekly.