Abstract: Cotyledon and hypocotyl explants were subjected to callus induction and a cell suspension culture system was established for Perilla frutescens. The effects of different culture conditions on the growth of suspension cells and the accumulation of rosmarinic acid were studied. The results showed that 100% callus induction, loose tender yellow cotyledon callus tissue cultures was achieved in a short period of time when hypocotyl explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 3.0 mg/L 6-BA and 0.3 mg/L NAA. The optimal culture conditions for the cell growth of Perilla frutescens and rosmarinic acid synthesis were culture time of 7 days, inoculum amount of 20 g/L, rotation speed of 110 r/min, sucrose concentration of 30 g/L and phenylalanine concentration of 0.15 g/L. Under these conditions, the yield of rosmarinic acid was as high as 2.283 mg/g.

Key words: Perilla frutescens, callus, cell suspension culture, rosmarinic acid