Cultivation of plant cells in aqueous two-phase polymer systems

Suspension cultures ofNicotiana tabacum have been successfully grown in aqueous, two-phase systems comprised of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and dextran in a modified LS medium. Aqueous two-phase systems may be advantageous for plant tissue cultivation since cells can be immobilized in one phase while secondary products are collected and withdrawn in the other phase, thus enhancing productivity. Culture growth rate was compared in a variety of two-phase systems, covering a range of both polymer molecular weight and concentration. Systems exhibiting relatively higher phase miscibility yielded increased growth rates as compared to less miscible phase formulations. The highest observed growth rate occurred in 3% PEG 20000/5% crude dextran and approached growth rates and cell densities of cultures grown in standard LS medium.