The problems associated with high biomass levels in plant cell suspensions

The development of plant cell cultures as an alternative supply of phytochemicals has been difficult. Although there has been some very suitable targets, the yields of these compounds has remained low despite considerable efforts. One of the main constituents of a process is its productivity which is the sum of the process run time (growth rate), yield, and biomass levels. The effect of changes in all three of these components on productivity has been demonstrated.Of the three components making up productivity, biomass is perhaps the easiest to increase. However, high biomass levels will increase the viscosity, which will affect both mixing and oxygen supply. Therefore, this will require more vigorous mixing which may increase the shear within the bioreactor. All these parameters need further investigation at high biomass concentrations.