Use of focussed beam reflectance measurement (FBRM) for monitoring changes in biomass concentration

The potential of focussed beam reflectance measurement (FBRM) as a tool to monitor changes in biomass concentration was investigated in a number of biological systems. The measurement technique was applied to two morphologically dissimilar plant cell suspension cultures, Morinda citrifolia and Centaurea calcitrapa, to a filamentous bacteria, Streptomyces natalensis, to high density cultures of Escherichia coli and to a murine Sp2/0 hybridoma suspension cell line, 3-2.19. In all cases, the biomass concentration proved to be correlated with total FBRM counts. The nature of the correlation varied between systems and was influenced by the concentration, nature, size and morphology of the particle under investigation.     

Characterization of plant suspension cultures using the focused beam reflectance technique

Development of bioreactor systems utilizing plant suspension cultures has been hindered by the lack of on-line sensors for monitoring important process variables such as biomass concentration and aggregate size. An optical technique, the focused beam reflectance method (FBRM developed by Lasentec Inc., Redmond, WA), was used to characterize several plant suspension cultures: rice (Oryza sativa), tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) and wild Chinese cucumber (Trichosanthes kirilowii). These cultures differ in a number of respects such as individual cell size and morphology, aggregate shape and size distribution, initial culture density, and color. For plant suspensions comprised of relatively spherical aggregates (rice and cucumber), the area under the cube-weighted FBRM chord length distribution was linearly correlated to biomass concentration (R ²>0.99) while the mean of the cube-weighted FBRM chord length distribution was nonlinearly related to aggregate size.     

Comparison of plant-based expression platforms for the heterologous production of geraniol

We compared the ability of different plant-based expression platforms to produce geraniol, a key metabolite in the monoterpenoid branch of the terpenoid indole alkaloid biosynthesis pathway. A geraniol synthase gene isolated from Valeriana officinalis (VoGES) was stably expressed in different tobacco systems. Intact plants were grown in vitro and in the greenhouse and were used to generate cell suspension and hairy root cultures. VoGES was also transiently expressed in N. benthamiana. The highest geraniol content was produced by intact transgenic plants grown in vitro (48 μg/g fresh weight, fw), followed by the transient expression system (27 μg/g fw), transgenic plants under hydroponic conditions in the greenhouse and cell suspension cultures (16 μg/g fw), and finally hairy root cultures (9 μg/g fw). Differences in biomass production and the duration of cultivation resulted in a spectrum of geraniol productivities. Cell suspension cultures achieved a geraniol production rate of 1.8 μg/g fresh biomass per day, whereas transient expression produced 5.9 μg/g fresh biomass per day (if cultivation prior to agroinfiltration is ignored) or 0.5 μg/g fresh biomass per day (if cultivation prior to agroinfiltration is included). The superior productivity, strict process control and simple handling procedures available for transgenic cell suspension cultures suggest that cells are the most promising system for further optimization and ultimately for the scaled-up production of geraniol.     

Growth behavior in plant cell cultures based on emissions detected by a multisensor array

The use of a multisensor array based on chemical gas sensors to monitor plant cell cultures is described. The multisensor array, also referred to as an electronic nose, consisted of 19 different metal oxide semiconductor sensors and one carbon dioxide sensor. The device was used to continuously monitor the off-gas from two plant cell suspension cultures, Morinda citrifolia and Nicotiana tabacum, cultivated under batch conditions. By analyzing the multiarray responses using two pattern recognition methods, principal component analysis and artificial neural networks, it was possible to monitor the course of the cultivations and, in turn, to predict (1) the biomass concentration in both systems and (2) the formation of the secondary metabolite, antraquinone, by M. citrifolia. The results identify the multisensor array method as a potentially useful analytical tool for monitoring plant process variables that are otherwise difficult to analyze on-line.     

Comparison of morphological characteristics of Streptomyces natalensis by image analysis and focused beam reflectance measurement

A morphological interpretation is presented for data collected during growth of a filamentous organism, using a focused beam reflectance measurement (FBRM) system. The morphology of the organism was also obtained using conventional semiautomatic image analysis to support the interpretation of the FBRM data. The model organism employed is the filamentous soil-borne actinomycete Streptomyces natalensis, which produces the antifungal agent pimaricin. The organism was cultivated both in shake flasks and in a bench-scale stirred tank bioreactor. It was found that FBRM could be used to track changes in the morphology of the organism throughout the course of its growth on both scales. These changes were highlighted using both the median chord length and length-weighted mean chord length obtained from the chord length distribution measured with the FBRM probe. The ability of the FBRM probe to respond to changes in both the size and morphology of mycelial aggregates was supported by standard image analysis parameters, including equivalent diameter, convex area, and compactness.     

Exopolysaccharide production during batch cultures with free and immobilized Lactobacillus rhamnosus RW-9595M

AIMS: Exopolysaccharides (EPS) were produced by Lactobacillus rhamnosus RW-9595M during pH-controlled batch cultures with free cells and repeated-batch cultures with cells immobilized on solid porous supports (ImmobaSil). METHODS AND RESULTS: Cultures were conducted in supplemented whey permeate (SWP) medium containing 5 or 8% (w/w) whey permeate. For free-cell batch cultures in 8% SWP medium, very high maximum cell counts (1.3 x 10(10) CFU ml(-1)) and EPS production (2350 mg l(-1)) were measured. A high EPS production (1750 mg l(-1)) was measured after four cycles for a short incubation period of only 7 h. Several methods for immobilized biomass determination based on analysis of biomass components (proteins, ATP and DNA) were tested. The DNA analysis method proved to be the most appropriate under these circumstances. This method revealed a high maximum immobilized biomass of 8.5 x 10(11) CFU ml(-1) support during repeated immobilized cell cultures in 5% SWP. The high immobilized biomass increased maximum EPS volumetric productivity (250 mg l(-1) h(-1) after 7 h culture) compared with free-cell batch cultures (110 mg l(-1) h(-1) after 18 h culture). CONCLUSIONS: High EPS productions were achieved during batch cultures of Lact. rhamnosus RW-9595M in SWP medium, exceeding 1.7 g EPS per litre. Repeated-batch cultures with immobilized cells resulted in increased EPS productivity compared with traditional free-cell cultures. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The study clearly shows the high potential of the strain Lact. rhamnosus RW-9595M and immobilized cell technology for production of EPS as a functional food ingredient.     

Establishment of callus and cell suspension cultures of Corydalis saxicola Bunting, a rare medicinal plant

An efficient procedure has been developed for callus induction and cell suspension cultures of C. saxicola for the first time. Explant selection was carried out among leaf, stem and root to select a suitable type of explants capable of higher callus formation. Leaf explants thus selected showed maximum response to callus induction (67.1%). Modified B5 medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l(-1) 2,4-D plus 2 mg l(-1) BA was the most favorable medium for callus formation with the highest induction rate (94.8%) and greatest fresh weight of callus (1.7 g per explant). Cell suspension cultures were established by transferring 2-8 g fresh callus to 80 ml liquid B5 medium. An inoculum size of 8 g produced the greatest biomass accumulation, dehydrocavidine and berberine productions, which was 13.1 g l(-1), 8.0 mg l(-1) and 4.1 mg l(-1), respectively. In response to various sucrose concentrations from 10 g l(-1) to 80 g l(-1), cultures with 60 g sucrose l(-1) not only produced the highest dry biomass (18.5 g l(-1)) but also the highest formation of dehydrocavidine (11.6 mg l(-1)) and berberine (7.6 mg l(-1)). These prepared cell suspension cultures provided a useful material for further regulation of alkaloid biosynthesis and for enhanced production of valuable alkaloids on a large scale.     

Fluid shear effects on suspension cultures of Morinda citrifolia

The shear susceptibility of cell suspension cultures of the plant cell Morinda citrifolia was investigated by subjecting the cells to the well-defined shear field generated in turbulent flow through a capillary. Suspensions were circulated using a peristaltic pump and average shear stresses between 25 and 350 N m(-2) were generated in the capillary test section. Control experiments were performed to assess the possible contribution of the peristaltic pump to the observed cell damage. There was clear evidence of pump-induced damage at the more severe test conditions and all viability measurements were corrected accordingly. Both shake flask suspension cultures (aged between 9 and 15 days) and repeated batch fermentation cultures, grown in a stirred tank reactor (STR) under a variety of controlled agitation conditions, were tested in the capillary shear loop. The cell damage incurred was evaluated in terms of suspension viability, as determined by a dye exclusion technique. Viability loss was found to conform closely to a first-order model in which the rate constant was observed to increase with the imposed shear stress. Furthermore, a linear relationship was identified between the specific death constant and the cumulative energy dissipated. Post-shear morphological measurements showed that the chain length distribution is shifted toward markedly lower values. In comparison with shake flask cultures, repeated batch fermentation cultures exhibited a marked increase in sensitivity to capillary shear. Based upon the determined morphological characteristics, this result is primarily attributable to the increased chain lengths characteristic of the repeated batch cultures. (c) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The effects of turbulent jet flows on plant cell suspension cultures

Cell suspensions of Morinda citrifolia were subjected to turbulent flow conditions in a submerged jet apparatus, to investigate their hydrodynamic shear susceptibility. The suspensions were exposed to repeated, pressure-driven passages through a submerged jet. Two nozzles, of 1 mm and 2 mm diameter, were employed. Average energy dissipation rates were in the range 10(3)-10(5) W/kg and cumulative energy dissipation in the range 10(5)-10(7) J/m3. System response to the imposed conditions was evaluated in terms of suspension viability (determined using a dye exclusion technique) and variations in both chain length distribution and maximum chain length. Viability loss was well-described by a first-order model, and a linear relationship was identified between the specific death rate constant and the average energy dissipation rate. This relationship was consistent with results obtained using the same suspension cultures in a turbulent capillary flow device. Morphological measurements indicated that exposure to the hydrodynamic environment generated in the jet resulted in a significant reduction in both the average and maximum chain lengths, and the reduction in the maximum chain length was identified as an appropriate measure of sustained damage. Analysis of both viability and chain length in terms of cumulative energy dissipated revealed good agreement with results reported by other authors for morphologically different plant cell systems. Copyright 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

不同因素对岩黄连悬浮细胞生长的影响

目的:建立一个快速生长的岩黄连悬浮细胞培养体系。方法:研究了接种量、基本培养基、初始pH值、不同碳源对岩黄连悬浮细胞生长的影响。结果:合适的接种量是7.5~10%(FW),接种量过少会抑制细胞生长;B5和MS基本培养基均适合岩黄连细胞的生长;最佳初始培养基pH值为6.0,此时获得的细胞生物量最高;岩黄连悬浮细胞培养的生长周期为24d,最大生物量出现在第18d,达到14.1g/l(DW);蔗糖比葡萄糖更有利于岩黄连细胞的生长,添加60g/l蔗糖所获得的生物量最高,达到18.5g/l(DW)。     

High frequency somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in zygotic embryo cultures of Japanese honeysuckle

Japanese honeysuckle plant (Lonicera japonica Thunb.) is rich in iridoid secologanin and is a potentially useful model for the study of secologanin biosynthesis. Culture conditions for high frequency plant regeneration via somatic embryogenesis from zygotic embryo cultures and zygotic embryo-derived embryogenic cell suspension cultures of this species are described. Mature zygotic embryos formed embryogenic calluses at a frequency of 46.7% when cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 4.52 M 2,4-dichloro-phenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Cell suspension cultures were established with embryogenic calluses using liquid MS medium with 4.52 M 2,4-D. Upon plating onto MS basal medium, embryogenic cell suspension cultures produced numerous somatic embryos, which subsequently developed into plantlets at a frequency of 68%. Regenerated plantlets were transplanted to potting soil and grown to maturity in a greenhouse.     

Oxytocin influences the production of glycyrrhizin from cell cultures of Abrus precatorius Linn.

Oxytocin, a peptide animal hormone, was used as a growth regulator to test its effect on biomass accumulation and production of secondary plant constituent glycyrrhizin in the cell cultures of Abrus precatorius. Glycyrrhizin is an important phytoconstituent of liquorice which is widely used in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Cell suspension cultures of A. precatorius were developed from leaf explant of in vitro germinated plant in Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 30 g/l sucrose, 1 mg/l naphthalene acetic acid and 1 mg/l kinetin. The influence of oxytocin on biomass accumulation as well as on the production of glycyrrhizin was observed in the cell cultures of A. precatorius. Treatment of A. precatorius cell cultures with 100 μg/l oxytocin, improved glycyrrhizin production up to 34.27 mg/l on the dry cell weight basis third day after oxytocin treatment, which is over four times that of the control cultures, simultaneously nearly two fold increase in the biomass 2 days after the oxytocin treatment was recorded over the control cultures.     

Protein Kinase Activity of in vitro Cultured Plant Cells in Relation to Growth and Starch Metabolism

Taking tetcyclacis, a norbornenodiazentine derivative, as an example, the influence of a growth retardant on the shoot growth of sunflower, soybean, and maize seedlings grown and treated in hydroculture was investigated. In detail, the reduction in the length of various shoot sections {epicotyl, 1st internode, leaf blade) caused by the retardant was studied. At low concentrations of the retardant (\lt10^-6 M) the shortening effects are substantially attributable to an influence on cell elongation, whereas cell division is inhibited as the concentration increases (τ10^-6 M). A comparison of the effects of tetcyclacis in cell suspension cultures of appropriate plant species showed that also in this system concentrations τ 10^-6 M inhibited cell division growth, i. e. there is comparability of plant/ cell culture regarding the retardant effect on cell division. In contrast to the intact plants, however, cell elongation appears to be of only subordinate importance for the growth of cell cultures, as it has been shown using parsley cell suspension cultures.It is discussed to what extent influencing the gibberellin or sterol biosynthesis by means of tetcyclacis provides an explanation for the concentration-dependent effect on the cell division and cell elongation processes.     

Monitoring Granulation Rate Processes Using Three PAT Tools in a Pilot-Scale Fluidized Bed

The purpose of this research was to analyze and compare the responses of three Process Analytical Technology (PAT) techniques applied simultaneously to monitor a pilot-scale fluidized bed granulation process. Real-time measurements using focused beam reflectance measurement (Lasentec FBRM) and near-infra red spectroscopy (Bruker NIR) were taken by inserting in-line probes into the fluidized bed. Non-intrusive acoustic emission measurements (Physical Acoustic AE) were performed by attaching piezoelectric sensors on the external wall of the fluidized bed. Powder samples were collected at regular intervals during the granulation process and characterized offline using laser diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, stereo-optical microscopy and loss on drying method. PAT data comprising chord length distribution and chord count (from FBRM), absorption spectra (from NIR) and average signal levels and counts (from AE) were compared with the particle properties measured using offline samples. All three PAT techniques were able to detect the three granulation regimes or rate processes (wetting and nucleation, consolidation and growth, breakage) to varying degrees of sensitivity. Being dependent on optical signals, the sensitivities of the FBRM and NIR techniques were susceptible to fouling on probe windows. The AE technique was sensitive to background fluidizing air flows and external interferences. The sensitivity, strengths and weaknesses of the PAT techniques examined may facilitate the selection of suitable PAT tools for process development and scale-up studies.     

Aggregate cell suspension cultures of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. for triptolide, wilforgine, and wilforine production

The relationships between aggregate cell types, cell growth, and the triptolide, wilforgine, and wilforine content in aggregate cell suspension cultures of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. were examined. Aggregate cells larger than 2?mm grew quickly and constituted the majority of the white aggregates. The accumulation of triptolide was strongly correlated with the size of the aggregates and the length of the culture period. The aggregates 0.5?C2?mm in diameter accumulated higher triptolide content than those with other sizes throughout the culture. However, the size of the aggregate cells did not significantly affect on the wilforgine and wilforine content. Two other kinds of aggregate cells, the brown and green aggregate cells, also formed in the suspension cultures. The smallest aggregates (0.1?C0.5?mm) had a lower biomass and growth rate and had more chloroplasts and higher alkaloid content. The results of this study can be used to improve the selection process for the mass production of triptolide, wilforgine, and wilforine from cell suspension cultures.     

细胞均一性对葡萄细胞生长和花青素合成的影响

通过色差筛选法建立了一个相对均一的葡萄细胞悬浮系E,其细胞团较小,在长期继代培养过程中花青素合成能力的变异系数为8.7%,重复摇瓶实验的变异系数为5%。以E为实验材料进行的各组前体饲喂、诱导子添加、光照等联合作用实验,其生物量和花青素合成的变异系数均可控制在12%以内,充分说明了培养体系的均一性对维持稳定生产的重要性;黑暗条件下添加30μmol/L苯丙氨酸(Phe)和218μmol/L茉莉酸甲酯(MeJA)可使单位细胞花青素含量达到对照组的5.89倍,花青素产量为对照组的4.30倍,且连续5次继代培养过程中生物量和花青素合成的变异系数均比对照组降低。     

Effect of aeration and carbon dioxide on cell morphology of Candida utilis

The effect of CO2 availability on cell size, shape, and aggregation in continuous cultures of Candida utilis was studied in minimal medium with glucose or ethanol as the sole carbon and energy source. Enrichment with CO2 was achieved (i) by using the substrate with more C atoms, (ii) by using pure oxygen and thus decreasing aeration intensity at the same dissolved-oxygen concentration, or (iii) by adding CO2 to the aeration gas. The cells were always of yeast shape, and no filaments were formed. In cultures with a biomass concentration above 6 g (dry weight) per liter, no cell aggregates were observed. In cultures with a lower biomass, the daughter cells failed to separate from the parent cells and formed aggregates with thickened walls. The average cell number per aggregate was found to be higher, and the average protoplast volume lower, under conditions of probable CO2 limitation. Simultaneously, the ratio of total dry weight to wet weight of protoplasts was considerably higher, indicating an increased share of wall or extracellular material. The possible effect of the observed morphological changes for maintaining a suitable concentration gradient of CO2 around the cell is discussed.     

Growth and immobilization of tripterygium wilfordii cultured cells

The plant Tripterygium wilfordii produces di- and triterpenes of interest for male contraception and treatment of arthritis and skin disorders. Cell line TRP4a obtained form this plant in 1981 was reported to produce these valuable compounds at yields ( approximately 0.04% of the biomass dry weight) higher than found in the plant (0.001%). In order to improve this production, studies were carried out to determine the feasibility of eliminating the troublesome component of coconut milk originally used to culture this cell line. A defined formulation suitable for growth ad maintenance has been developed. This medium consisted of Gamborg's PRL4 or B5 medium supplemented with 2 mg L(-1) 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 20 g L(-1) sucrose. Furthermore, monitoring of carbohydrate uptake revealed that T. wilfordii cells, contrary to many plant cell species, did not hydrolyze sucrose extra-cellularly before uptake. Replacement of this disaccharide by glucose or fructose increased specific growth rate from 0.15 to 0.25 day(-1). As tripdiolide is reported to be present in broth extract in significant amounts, plant cell immobilization technology offers a promising alternative to suspension cultures, especially in view to on line harvesting of the product. Surface immobilized T. wilfordii cell cultures were successfully carried out in 2-L bioreactors. Their biomass production and carbohydrate uptake were comparable to those observed for shake flask grown suspension cultures. Higher nitrate and ammonium uptake were found in immobilized cultures.     

Effect of aeration and carbon dioxide on cell morphology of Candida utilis.

The effect of CO2 availability on cell size, shape, and aggregation in continuous cultures of Candida utilis was studied in minimal medium with glucose or ethanol as the sole carbon and energy source. Enrichment with CO2 was achieved (i) by using the substrate with more C atoms, (ii) by using pure oxygen and thus decreasing aeration intensity at the same dissolved-oxygen concentration, or (iii) by adding CO2 to the aeration gas. The cells were always of yeast shape, and no filaments were formed. In cultures with a biomass concentration above 6 g (dry weight) per liter, no cell aggregates were observed. In cultures with a lower biomass, the daughter cells failed to separate from the parent cells and formed aggregates with thickened walls. The average cell number per aggregate was found to be higher, and the average protoplast volume lower, under conditions of probable CO2 limitation. Simultaneously, the ratio of total dry weight to wet weight of protoplasts was considerably higher, indicating an increased share of wall or extracellular material. The possible effect of the observed morphological changes for maintaining a suitable concentration gradient of CO2 around the cell is discussed.     

Alkaloid production in Vernonia cinerea: Callus, cell suspension and root cultures

Fast-growing callus, cell suspension and root cultures of Vernonia cinerea, a medicinal plant, were analyzed for the presence of alkaloids. Callus and root cultures were established from young leaf explants in Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal media supplemented with combinations of auxins and cytokinins, whereas cell suspension cultures were established from callus cultures. Maximum biomass of callus, cell suspension and root cultures were obtained in the medium supplemented with 1 mg/L alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 5 mg/L benzylaminopurine (BA), 1.0 mg/L NAA and 0.1 mg/L BA and 1.5 mg/L NAA, respectively. The 5-week-old callus cultures resulted in maximum biomass and alkaloid contents (750 microg/g). Cell suspension growth and alkaloid contents were maximal in 20-day-old cultures and alkaloid contents were 1.15 mg/g. A 0.2-g sample of root tissue regenerated in semi-solid medium upon transfer to liquid MS medium containing 1.5 mg/L NAA regenerated a maximum increase in biomass of 6.3-fold over a period of 5 weeks. The highest root growth and alkaloid contents of 2 mg/g dry weight were obtained in 5-week-old cultures. Maximum alkaloid contents were obtained in root cultures in vitro compared to all others including the alkaloid content of in vivo obtained with aerial parts and roots (800 microg/g and 1.2 mg/g dry weight, respectively) of V. cinerea.