Articles
CHALLENGES IN SCALING-UP AND AUTOMATION IN MICROPROPAGATION
Article number
616_5
Pages
77 – 84
Language
English
Abstract
Micropropagation performed in the traditional way includes manual handling of tissue every 4-6 weeks on solid medium.
These methods can be time- and labour consuming.
In high-cost countries where the cost of labour may represent 80-90% of the total costs, various methods of automation may be interesting to explore.
Scaling-up in micropropagation can be achieved in several different ways: 1) Homogenisation of plant tissue 2) Automation through use of liquid cultures and bioreactors and 3) Robotics.
All these methods will be briefly mentioned, but the focus of the lecture will be on automated bioreactors.
In 1992, the Department of Agricultural Engineering of the Agricultural University of Norway constructed and built six identical, computer controlled two-litre bioreactors.
These were made according to specifications and wishes from the Plant Cell Laboratory where they were to be used for scaling up plant propagation in liquid cultures.
We were mainly interested in somatic embryogenesis, but also shoot cultures that could be scaled up in such vessels.
Strategies for large scale production of somatic embryos are based upon results with Daucus as the model plant.
Bioreactor applications have been reported for several other agricultural, horticultural or forest crops.
Although the idea of using bioreactors for mass propagation arose years ago, so far commercial applications have been very limited.
There are many challenges in a bioreactor culture.
The paper will present an overview of these, the advantages and disadvantages of bioreactors as well as some of the results in our lab including a brief description of our system.
Our bioreactors have been used to cultivate carrot, birch, Norway spruce, cyclamen and begonia.
These methods can be time- and labour consuming.
In high-cost countries where the cost of labour may represent 80-90% of the total costs, various methods of automation may be interesting to explore.
Scaling-up in micropropagation can be achieved in several different ways: 1) Homogenisation of plant tissue 2) Automation through use of liquid cultures and bioreactors and 3) Robotics.
All these methods will be briefly mentioned, but the focus of the lecture will be on automated bioreactors.
In 1992, the Department of Agricultural Engineering of the Agricultural University of Norway constructed and built six identical, computer controlled two-litre bioreactors.
These were made according to specifications and wishes from the Plant Cell Laboratory where they were to be used for scaling up plant propagation in liquid cultures.
We were mainly interested in somatic embryogenesis, but also shoot cultures that could be scaled up in such vessels.
Strategies for large scale production of somatic embryos are based upon results with Daucus as the model plant.
Bioreactor applications have been reported for several other agricultural, horticultural or forest crops.
Although the idea of using bioreactors for mass propagation arose years ago, so far commercial applications have been very limited.
There are many challenges in a bioreactor culture.
The paper will present an overview of these, the advantages and disadvantages of bioreactors as well as some of the results in our lab including a brief description of our system.
Our bioreactors have been used to cultivate carrot, birch, Norway spruce, cyclamen and begonia.
Publication
Authors
A.K. Hvosleif-Eide, P.H. Heyendahl, O.A.S. Olsen
Keywords
Bioreactor, liquid culture, somatic embryogenesis, temporary immersion system
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