LARGE-SCALE CULTIVATION OF HELIANTHUS-ANNUUS CELL-SUSPENSIONS

Suspension cultures of Helianthus annuus have been cultivated in volumes of 100 ml to 80 l in a variety of vessels, including shake flasks, air-lift, and stirred-tank bioreactors. In general, the growth rates and biomass yields were similar, with no bioreactor showing a distinct advantage. Scale-up from 100 ml to 80 l could be achieved within 40 days using three 10-day subcultures. The determination of oxygen uptake rates indicated that any reduction in growth rate did not appear to be due to oxygen supply. © 1990.