Even so, a surprising number of cell cultures have been found that do produce specialized biochemicals found in the intact parent, including alkaloids such as nicotine, atropine, ephedrine, caffeine, and codeine, and their precursors and derivatives. Production of cardiac glycosides and other steroids, benzoquinones, latex, phenolics; anthocyanins, organic acids, anti tumor agents, antimicrobials and various flavors and odors has also been reported.

The first patent for producing biochemicals commercially by large scale plant cell culture was issued in 1956. The general approach since then has been to select high product yielding cell lines, preferably as suspension culture, and to enhance their efficiency either by feeding them inexpensive product precursors or by manipulating their biosynthetic control mechanisms. Here the expertise of the microbial product industry is invaluable. Large-volume automated culture vessels called fermenters have been used successfully to mass produce cultured plant cells. This technology will soon be producing selected pharmaceuticals and other high cost biochemicals commercially.