Optimal culture conditions for efficient in vitro propagation and polysaccharide production of Orostachys japonicus were established. O. japonicus was cultured in media containing various growth regulators and carbon sources. The highest regeneration rate was achieved in 1.0 and 3.0 mg l -1 of 2,4-D concentration, while the lowest was obtained in 10.0 mg l -1 2,4-D concentration. When different carbone sources were added in the culture medium, plant growth was high in 3% sucrose treatment. The micropropagated shoots were successfully acclimatized in artificial soils and produced comparable amont of polysaccharide compred to parent cultivated plants.

Scopolia parviflora Nakai, a rare and endangered species, is the sole plant producing tropane alkaloids (TA) among the Korean native species. In order to enhance TA productivity the SP72 root line was selected by screening 100 of root line, and the optimal culture media for root growth and TA production were investigated with the SP72 roots. Based on the several media, SH and 2B5 medium were determined as growth medium and White and NN medium as production medium. Among the four combinations of two-stage culture, 2BN (2B5 as growth medium plus NN as production medium) showed more enhanced root growth and TA production as compared with production media of White and NN medium and growth media of SH and 2B5 medium, respectively. However, bubble column bioreactor (BCB) cultures applying two-stage culture did not reveal the effective results despite of the each successful operation of two-stage culture in conical flasks and BCB cultures.

Optimal culture conditions for efficient in vitro propagation and polysaccharide production of Orostachys japonicus were established. The highest growth yield was achieved in 1/2 MS medium, while the lowest growth yield was obtained in 4 MS medium. The patterns of polysaccharide formation were a little similar in all cases, but on MB5 medium, the po]ysaccharide contents of plant were higher than others. Among the modified nitrate levels, effective growth level were obtained in 1/4 N and 1/2 N. High contents of polysaccharide were obtained in 4 N. Different concentration of potassium and calcium did not improve the growth and polysaccharide production. The micropropagated shoots were successfully acclimatized artificial soils.