Successful cryopreservation of suspension cells by encapsulation-dehydration

Cryopreservation of a Catharanthus cell suspension was performed after encapsulation in alginate beads. Encapsulated cells were precultured in sucrose-enriched medium for several days, dried over silica gel, and directly cooled in liquid nitrogen. After rewarming in air at room temperature, alginate beads were placed on semi-solid culture medium. Following regrowth, beads transferred to liquid medium generated a new cell suspension. Cell survival and regrowth from cryopreserved encapsulated cells depended on preculture duration and residual water content after air-drying.Jean Dereuddre unexpectedly passed away on 16 February 1995.