Flavonolignan production from Silybum marianum transformed and untransformed root cultures.

Explants from seeds of Silybum marianum were used to produce either transformed ('hairy') or untransformed root cultures. Silybin, isosilybin, silychristin and silydianin were found in untransformed root cultures, by means of TLC and HPLC. In contrast, only isosilybin and traces of silychristin and silydianin were identified in the 'hairy' root cultures.