Abstract: “This study was intended to investigate the saponin accumulation in the cell suspension culture of Ehretia asperula Zolliger et Moritzi. Soft, friable callus was initiated and grew well in MS medium supplemented with coconut water 10%,sucrose 30g/L, BA (6-benzylaminopurine) 0.1mg/L and 2,4-D(2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) 2-2.5mg/L, with callusinduction rate 93.52% and 92.59%; callus diameter 18.33 and17.00mm; and growth index 3.44 and 3.38, respectively, after 24 days of culture. The callus cultured in MS (Murashige &Skoog) medium added with BA 0.1mg/L and 2,4D 2.0mg/Lwere chosen to initiate the cell culture. The cell culturingexperiments studied the effect of the agitating speed, the initialcell to medium ratio, and the addition of elicitor (methyljasmonate)/precursor (phenylalanine) on the cell proliferationand the saponin accumulation. The cell suspension proliferatedbest at 140 rpm of agitation (growth index 7.81) and 40% of theinitial cell to medium ratio (growth index 7.96). The”

Keywords: Ehretia asperula Zolliger et Moritzi, callus, cell