GROWTH OF TRANSFORMED ROOTS IN A NUTRIENT MIST BIOREACTOR - REACTOR PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION

A nutrient mist bioreactor was modified for culturing transformed roots of Beta vulgaris and Carthamus tinctorius on a nylon support. Culture conditions of misting cycle, inoculum size, batch or continuous operation and sucrose concentration were varied in order to maximize growth over a 1-week period. Root tissue cultured in nutrient mists in a 1.8-1 culture chamber achieved levels of growth equivalent to hairy roots cultured in shake flasks with identical medium. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of nutrient mist culture as applied to hairy roots, thereby providing an alternative means for successful culture of these tissues.