The in vitro synthesis of secondary compounds from plants is one source of scarce and valuable phytopharmaceuticals. Often, some level of cellular or tissue differentiation is needed for the biosynthesis of many of these important compounds. Nodule cultures, consisting of cohesive multicellular
Luteibacter sp., a new bacterium isolated from the soil around a Taxus cuspidata Sieb. et Zucc plant, was studied for its capability to metabolize cephalomannine (1). After preparative fermentation, eight metabolites were obtained and characterized as baccatin III (2), baccatin V (3),