Abstract: The invention provides a process for the production of a biologically active phenolic compound (+) catechin from Taxus wallichiana tissue cultures, said process comprising the steps of (a) inoculating the of explants on a culture medium supplemented with combinations of auxins and cytokinins, (b) incubating the cultures under continuous light or dark conditions for 4-6 weeks for callus initiation followed by subculturing at 4-6 weeks intervals, (c) extracting the fresh pulverized calli with polar solvents at room temperature; (d) evaporating the solvent to obtain a residue; and (e) treating the residue with a chlorinated solvent and isolating (+) catechin compound by filtration.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of a compound (+) catechin penta acetate of formula I from Taxus wallichiana tissue cultures which comprises : (a) inoculation of explants on different media compositions supplemented with combinations of auxins (1-5 mg/l) and cytokinins (0.1-1.0 mg/l); (b) incubation of the cultures under continuous light or dark conditions for 4-6 weeks for callus cultures followed by subculturing at 4-6 weeks intervals; (c) harvesting of the calli at different growth phases ranging from 12-36 months; (d) extraction of fresh pulverized calli with polar solvents at room temperature; (e) evaporating the solvent to give a residue; and partitioning of the residue between water and chlorinated solvents and evaporating the solvent to a semisolid mass; (f) subjecting the resultant mass to column chromatography over suitable adsorbent and (g) eluting with organic solvent/mixtures of organic solvents to get (+) catechin penta acetate.