Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Licorice): Cell Culture, Regeneration, and the Production of Glycyrrhizin

The genus Glycyrrhiza contains 30 species native to hot temperate or subtropical regions such as the Mediterranean Basin. Among these various kinds of licorice plants, few are of industrial interest, for example, Glycyrrhiza glabra L., G. glabra L. var. glandulifera Rgl. et Herd., G. uralensis D.C. and G. echinata L. This chapter describes only the results for G. glabra L. the licorice material most employed in industry for its aromatic and sweetener properties (Afchar 1981; Boischard 1988).