Stability of cryopreserved Polyscias filicifolia suspension cell culture during cultivation in laboratory and industrial bioreactors

Cell suspension of a medicinal plant Polyscias filicifolia recovered after 5 years of cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen (− 196 °C) was cultured in 250 ml flasks and laboratory (20-l), pilot (75-l) and industrial (630-l) bioreactors operated under batch and semi-continuous regimes. Growth parameters of the recovered cell culture were compared to those recorded before cryopreservation and after 5 years of culture maintenance in the active collection with 2 weeks subculture intervals. The results revealed that cell viability, maximum accumulation of fresh and dry weights, specific growth rate and productivity on dry biomass in flasks and bioreactors of different types and volumes were not affected by cryopreservation. In 20-l bioreactors, longer lag phase was observed for cell culture maintained for 5 years by periodic subcultures compared to the initial and cryopreserved cell cultures, however, all differences in growth dynamics were mitigated during cultivation in 630-l bioreactors. This study demonstrates that cryopreservation is a reliable and effective method for conservation of P. filicifolia cell culture for biotechnological applications. Key message Cell suspension of a medicinal plant Polyscias filicifolia recovered after 5 years of cryopreservation fully retained its original growth and productivity when cultured in bioreactors from 20 to 630 l.