Monoterpenoid oxindole alkaloid production by Uncaria tomentosa (Willd) D.C. cell suspension cultures in a stirred tank bioreactor

• Published in: Biotechnology progress 2005-05, Vol.21 (3), p.786-792
• Main Authors: Trejo-Tapia, G, Cerda-Garcia-Rojas, C.M, Rodriguez-Monroy, M, Ramos-Valdivia, A.C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; Bioreactors; biosynthesis; Biotechnology; Cat's Claw - cytology; Cat's Claw - physiology; Cell culture; Cell Culture Techniques - instrumentation; Cell Culture Techniques - methods; cell growth; Cell Proliferation; cell suspension culture; Cell suspensions; Cells, Cultured; Equipment Design; Equipment Failure Analysis; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Growth rate; indole alkaloids; Indole Alkaloids - chemistry; Indole Alkaloids - isolation & purification; leaves; Monoterpenes - chemistry; Monoterpenes - isolation & purification; monoterpenoid oxindole alkaloids; monoterpenoids; oxindole alkaloids; Pilot Projects; Plant Leaves - cytology; Plant Leaves - physiology; Q1; Q2; Rheology - instrumentation; Rheology - methods; stirred tank bioreactors; Uncaria; Uncaria tomentosa
• ISSN: 8756-7938; 1520-6033
• DOI: 10.1021/bp049608s

Cell growth, monoterpenoid oxindole alkaloid (MOA) production, and morphological properties of Uncaria tomentosa cell suspension cultures in a 2‐L stirred tank bioreactor were investigated. U. tomentosa (cell line green Uth‐3) was able to grow in a stirred tank at an impeller tip speed of 95 cm/s (agitation speed of 400 rpm), showing a maximum biomass yield of 11.9 ± 0.6 g DW/L and a specific growth rate of 0.102 d−1. U. tomentosa cells growing in a stirred tank achieved maximum volumetric and specific MOA concentration (467.7 ± 40.0 μg/L, 44.6 ± 5.2 μg/g DW) at 16 days of culture. MOA chemical profile of cell suspension cultures growing in a stirred tank resembled that of the plant. Depending on culture time, from the total MOA produced, 37–100% was found in the medium in the bioreactor culture. MOA concentration achieved in a stirred tank was up to 10‐fold higher than that obtained in Erlenmeyer flasks (agitated at 110 rpm). In a stirred tank, average area of the single cells of U. tomentosa increased up to 4‐fold, and elliptical form factor increased from 1.40 to 2.55, indicating enlargement of U. tomentosa single cells. This work presents the first report of U. tomentosagreen cell suspension cultures that grow and produce MOA in a stirred tank bioreactor.