Effect of aggregate size in cell cultures of Saussurea medusa on cell growth and jaceosidin production

Abstract

Cell suspension cultures of Saussurea medusa were grown in shake flasks and a 5-l stirred tank bioreactor. Biomass and jaceosidin distribution in cell aggregates of different sizes were investigated during the cultivation period. The results showed that on day 10, jaceosidin accumulation showed an increase with increasing size of the cell aggregate to 4 mm in diameter, with the highest jaceosidin accumulation being 12.2 mg/g. An inverse tendency was observed with cell aggregates larger than 4 mm in diameter, with the lowest accumulation being 3.1 mg/g. However, all of the cell aggregates, despite their size, synthesized almost the same amount of jaceosidin at day 12. Oxygen diffusion limitation and cellcell contact may explain this behavior. In comparison with cells cultivated in shake flasks, decreased biomass and decreased jaceosidin concentration were observed when the cells were cultivated in a stirred tank bioreactor. The sublytic effects caused by the hydrodynamic stress in combination with insufficient nutrients in the bioreactor may cause cell damage.

Aggregate cell suspension cultures of Psoralea corylifolia improved phytoestrogens production

“…On the other hand, small aggregate size of < 150 µm diameter supported production of ajmalicine and tryptamine by cell suspension cultures of Catharanthus roseus [16], and increased jaceosidin accumulation with increased cell aggregates up to 4 mm in diameter [26]. Culture media with cell aggregates of 1.2 mm and above in suspension culture, was almost clear with low viscosity, which could inevitably ensures better mixing and mass transfer performance.…”

“…3). Earlier, flavonoids and jaceosidin production were shown to be reduced by large cell aggregates (> 10 mm) in cell suspension cultures of strawberry and Saussurea medusa [18,26]. The secondary metabolites and their production capacity were mainly associated with limited oxygen supply to cells and nutrient transfer to the inner part of aggregates [26,27].…”

Establishment of anthocyanin-producing cell suspension cultures of Cleome rosea Vahl ex DC. (Capparaceae)

“…A few isolated cells (spherical or elongated) were also found. It is well known that a degree of cell aggregation in cell suspension cultures influences secondary metabolite production (Zhao et al 2003;Edahiro and Seki 2006). However, differences in cell aggregate size distribution patterns between non- pigmented (Fig.…”

Cellular aggregate size as the critical factor for flavonoid production by suspension cultures of Saussurea medusa

“…The dry weight of each aggregate was measured and the weight percentage of each aggregate was calculated (Zhao et al 2003).…”