Population and biomass kinetics in fed-batch cultures of Daucus carota L. somatic embryos

The population dynamics of developing somatic embryos of carrot (Daucur carota L.) was investigated in batch and fed-batch cultures using modified Murashige and Skoog medium. These substrate limitations coincided not only with stoppage of biomass increase, but also with the increase in total concentration of embryos as well as the advancement of the embryo into a more mature stage. Both glucose and ammonium were depleted from the culture. Restoring either glucose, or ammonium and nitrate, as to approximately initial concentrations in fed-batch experiments, did not result in a significant increase of the total normal embryo concentration. On the other hand, medium replacement led to increase in biomass concentration, total embryo number, and improved embryo maturity. The addition of a mixture of glucose, ammonium, and nitrate to the spent medium resulted in variable increases in biomass and embryo number, but always less than those resulting from media replacement. Although the total number of embryos was higher after medium replacement, the fraction of embryos reaching torpedo stage was still only 50%. The need for a better means of population characterization for further kinetic studies is discussed.