Perilla 487
index, 1.4760–1.4784 (25 ∞C); iodine value, 192.0–196.3; saponification value, 192.7–
197.7; unsaponifiable matter, 1.3–1.8%.
The major classes of seed lipids include neutral lipids (91.2–93.9%), glycolipids
(3.9–5.8%) and phospholipids (2.0–3.2%). Tsuyuki et al. (1978) reported that the
total lipids of seed were composed of triglycerides (79.79–82.46%), sterol esters
(1.74–1.81%), free fatty acids (2.46–2.65%), diglycerides (1.58%), sterol (0.72–
0.89%), pigments (3.06–4.18%), monoglycerides (0.59–2.19%), complex lipids (2.37–
2.91%) and others (3.19–5.83%). The important fatty acids present in Perilla seed oil
are linolenic (54–64%), linoleic, and oleic acids; palmitic and stearic acids are present
as minor components.
29.4 Biotechnological approaches
Perilla plants have been subjected to many biotechnological studies, ever since the
first report of tissue culture was published by Sugisawa and Ohmishi (1976). In the
years that followed many reports came out on callus culture, cell suspension culture,
etc. The topic has been recently reviewed by Zhong and Yoshida (1997). Zhong et al.
(1991) as well as Zhong and Yoshida (1997) summarized the efforts made in anthocyanin
production through cell suspension culture, and the process has been scaled up (Table
29.3). Yamazaki et al. (1997) summarized the efforts made for the isolation of specifically
expressed genes in chemotypes using the technique of differential display of mRNA.
cDNAs coding for Shisonin synthesis have been isolated and cloned. The cDNA
coding for limonene cyclase was cloned from the PA type of Perilla (Yamasaki et al.,
1996, Yuba et al., 1995). Hwang et al. (2000) have isolated and cloned the cDNAs
coding for 3-ketoacyl-ACP synthase in the immature seeds.
Table 29.2 Important components of essential oil occurring in the various types of Perilla*
Source/Variety/Type* Compounds
Shiso, ao-jiso (–)-perillaldehyde, (–)-limonene, a-pinene
Egoma (1) Elsholtziaketone, Naginaketone Perillaketone
Lemon-egoma Citral, Perillone
Ao-jiso (1) Perillaldehyde (Ca 50%)
(Commercial oil) Perillyl alcohol, Pinene, Camphene, etc.
Egoma (2) Elsholtziaketone, Naginaketone
Linalool, 1-octen-3-ol, etc.
Several species of Perilla b-caryophyllene, Elemicin
Myristicin, Dillapiole, Isoegomaketone, etc.
Ao-jiso (2) a-farnesene, allo-farnesene
Ao-jiso (3) (–) Perillaldehyde, (–) Limonene
Perillylalcohol, Linalool
Trans-shisool, Cis-shisool
Shiso Perillaketone, Isoegomaketone, etc.
Shiso, Katamen-jiso Perillaldehyde, Perillyl alcohol
b-caryophyllene, Elemicin
Carvone, Phenethyl alcohol, etc.
Tennessee Perillaketone
Bangladesh Rosefuran, b-caryophyllene, Perillaketone, etc.
*Japanese names for the varieties Source: Fugita and Nakayama, 1997.