Ginkgolide production in relation to organogenesis in Ginkgo biloba

The contents of diterpenoids, ginkgolides A, B, and C, in seeds, embryos, and plantlets of Ginkgo biloba were analyzed to clarify the relations between organogenesis and terpene contents in G. biloba . There is so far no published report on the contents and changes in such terpenes in seeds and very young plantlets of G. 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.