Intraparticle cell growth and cell leakage in cultures of Nicotiana tabacum cells immobilized in calcium alginate gel beads

Immobilized Nicotiona tabacum cells in calcium alginate gel beads were prepared under various conditions and then were cultivated. The effects of different conditions of preparation, in relation to concentration of calcium ions (Ca²⁺), on intraparticle cell growth and cell leakage from beads were investigated experimentally. As the amount of Ca²⁺ incorporated into the beads increased, the numbers of cells leaked from the beads into the medium decreased. However, cell growth was inhibited by high Ca²⁺ concentrations in the beads. Optimal conditions existed, which prevented cell leakage without inhibiting intraparticle cell growth. The effect of adding CaCl₂ to the culture medium was also studied. The Ca²⁺, used for the alginate crosslinking, gradually leached from the beads with increasing cultivation time, such that beads gradually became brittle and fragile. The addition of CaCl₂ was effective in preventing Ca²⁺ loss from the beads and cell leakage. (C) 2000 Society of Chemical Industry.