Reaktorsystem zur Massenkultivation von pflanzlichen Zellkulturen bei niedrigem hydrodynamischem Stress

A simple new method for efficient self-immobilization of plant cells has been developed based on the natural cell tendency to aggregate. By this method tight cell beads of up to several mm in diameter can be grown. – The cell lines of correa arabica and Nicotina tabacum growing in such beads were used in a specially designed expanded-bed reactor. A separate oxygenation vessel in the medium circulation loop was used to eliminate the shear stress caused by direct aeration. – High cell densities and an excellent growth rate of the aggregates in the reactor comparable to the best shake-flask experiments was achieved, however, the production of secondary metabolites (alkaloids) was very low. Therefore, the expanded-bed reactor can be employed advantageously for biomass production in a first stage of a plant cell reactor system.