Optimization of Medium and Culture Conditions for Improving Biochemical Production - Biochemical production by plant cells is markedly influenced by the constituents of culture medium and other factors of the culture system, e.g., temperature, light, inoculum size etc. Auxins, especially 2, 4 D, usually suppress biochemical production, but in some cases IAA may be helpful.

In case of shikonin production by Lithospermum cells, 2, 4-D and NAA are inhibitory, while IAA is beneficial. In addition, NH4+ (only 3% of the total N of medium) inhibits shikonin production, while a 30-fold increase in Cu2+ concentration caused a 3-fold increase in shikonin production.