Culture of immobilized catharanthus roseus cells in an airlift reactor

摘要

A specially designed airlift reactor was used to immobilize Catharanthus roseus cells for the alkaloid production. The draught tube of this reactor, which functioned as immoibilization matrices at the same time, was made of polyurethane foam sheet. This design endowed the reactor with simpel structure, good circulating character and high immobilization efficiency. Cells immobilized in the polyurethane foam sheet appeared to be amenable for extended periods. Maximum alkaloid levels were maintained for at least 1- days in batch culture. Under the same condition, this reactor improved the alkaloid concentration to 136.51 mg/L, which was 6.5 times that of suspension culture. A continuous culture of Catharanthus roseus cells was investigated in this reactor. The alkaloid level was relatively high and constant during a 30- day culture period. In contrast, the alkaloid level flucturated greatly in a continuous suspension culture.