Ginkgolide production in relation to organogenesis inGinkgo biloba

The contents of diterpenoids, ginkgolides A, B, and C, in seeds, embryos, and plantlets ofGinkgo biloba were analyzed to clarify the relations between organogenesis and terpene contents inG. biloba. There is so far no published report on the contents and changes in such terpenes in seeds and very young plantlets ofG. biloba. Ginkgolides were present in seeds and embryos. Plantlets cultured in both the dark and under illumination contained substantial amounts of ginkgolides, more abundant than in seeds and embryos. It is concluded that ginkgo yields ginkgolides in its early stage of development regardless of light.