Abstract:

The suspension culture of callus obtained from tender leave of Camellia sinensis was conducted withMS mediumplus IBA 2 mgPL and 6-BA 4 mgPL in a fermenter. The effects of different factors on the growth of tea cells and the amount
of synthesized theaninewere analyzed. The results showed that both the tea- cell growth and theanine accumulation reachedtheir peak period from 19 to 22 days after culture. Both growth of the cells and the amount of theanine reached optimal va-lues when the medium contained NH4+PNO3- 110P601 0 mmolPL, K+ 10010 mmolPL, Mg2+ 310 mmolPL, H2 PO4- 310mmolPL, sucrose 3010 gPL and protein 210 gPL. Both the logarithmic and stationary phases were enhanced when theamount of sucrose and protein were raised in the medium. Alteration of H2PO4- concentration in the medium had an effecton the simultaneity of the cel-l growth and theanine accumulation. The activity of theanine- synthatase ( L-glutamate: ethy-lamine lingase) can be affected by K+ andMg2+ . Accumulation of theanine could be greatly raised when ethy-l amine wassupplemented in the medium. The efficiency of ethy-l amine on the accumulation of theanine is related to the addition methodi1 e. sequential supplement of ethy-l amine into the medium was better than single addition of that.

Key words: Theanine, Camellia sinensis , Suspension culture, Biosynthesis