Abstract: Cell suspension cultures were established from Saussurea medusa Maxim. callus cultures. The effects of different rotation speeds of the gyratory shaker, different inoeulum sizes and different pH values of the medium on cell growth and flavonoid formation were studied. The result showed that the optimum rotation speed, inoeulum size and initial pH value of the medium were 90–120 r/min,50– 80 g FW/L and 5.5–6.0 respectively for cell growth and flavonoids formation in the suspension cultures. Sucrose was better than glucose and fructose for the suspension cultures. The optimum concentration of sucrose for cell growth and flavonoid production was 40 g/L, and the concentration of flavonoids could be as high as 1 423.25 mg/L. High performance liquid chromatographic analysis of cell suspension culture extracts showed that the concentrations of jaceosidin and hispidulin in the flavonoids were 22.11% and 0. 15% respectively.

Key words: Saussurea medusa, Suspension culture, Cell growth, Flavonoids production