Catharanthus roseus shoot cultures for the production of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids.

: A protocol for the establishment of in vitro shoot cultures of Catharanthus roseus is described. Shoots can be maintained for more than 1 yr without evidence of tissue vitrification, disaggregation, or callus formation. Vindoline was the main alkaloid accumulated, reaching values similar to those found in leaves from field-grown plants, after a long period of culture. An induction methodology to reduce such waiting time is also presented.