Mass cultivation of Catharanthus roseus cells using a nonmechanically agitated bioreactor

Batch suspension cultures of Catharanthus roseus G. Don were grown in a 5 L LKB Ultraferm fermenter, converted to operate as an airlift bioreactor, to test the suitability of such a system for the mass culture of plant cells. Results show that the airlift system has considerable merits as a culture vessel for such a purpose, including: conversion rates of carbohydrate substrate to cell mass equivalent to > 50% under optimum conditions. (Operating under these conditions, growth rates of approximately 0.4 d super(-1) are typical). In the absence of the mechanical shear normally associated with mechanically driven bioreactors, the gently agitated environment of the airlift vessel proves to be an ideal system for the growth of fragile plant cells. Use of a nozzle sparger reduces the possibility of a high mass transfer coefficient, except at very high gassing rates, thereby eliminating any interference with the growth rate caused by high rates of gaseous exchange.