Abstract: Methods for the production of steroids (sapogenins) and steroidal glycosides (saponins) from cell, root-cell and shoot tissue cultures of the Yucca plant. The cultures were established and maintained in a suitable nutrient plant cell medium supplemented with growth regulators. The desired products are extracted from the cultures using conventional extraction techniques. Greater total production of steroidal glycosides occurred in root-cell, cell, and shoot tissue cultures in that order. Although the cultures may be grown under conditions ranging from total darkness to total light, steroidal glycoside production was highest in root-cell cultures grown continuously in the light as compared to those grown in the dark. Root-cell culture senescence also enhanced the yield of total steroidal glycosides. Steroids are obtained from the steroidal glycosides by acid hydrolysis to remove the sugar moieties. The production of radio-labeled steroids and steroidal glycosides is disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing a cell free homogenate from Chrysanthemum species and Tagetes species of the family Compositae which contains the bioactive enzyme(s) and cofactor(s) of the pyrethrum pathway. A method is also disclosed for preparing a cell free matrix containing these bioactive enzyme(s) and cofactor(s). The homogenate and matrix will convert mevalonic acid, labeled mevalonic acid, isopentenyl pyrophosphate or labeled isopentenyl pyrophosphate into pyrethrins, labeled pyrethrins, chrysanthemyl alcohol or labeled chrysanthemyl alcohol.