Plant clones containing elevated secondary metabolite levels

摘要

A method for selecting plants and plant tissue cultures that contain elevated levels of secondary metabolites is disclosed. The method uses clonal organogenic tissue culture lines, the cultures being derived from cells of a member of the Lamiaceae family. Cultured tissue propagules are placed in contact with mucoid, non-pathogenic bacterial cells and cultured for a period of time. Those clonal lines exhibiting tolerance to the bacterial cells have elevated levels of secondary metabolites. Cultured tissue from such lines can be regenerated into plants, which are used to more efficiently produce essential oils for food and medicinal purposes.