Jeong-Hwan Yun

Enhanced production of paclitaxel by semi-continuous batch process (SCBP) in suspension culture of Taxus chinensis

Abstract Semi-continuous batch process (SCBP) was developed for the production of paclitaxel from suspension culture of Taxus chinensis . Cell ages did not affect the specific production of paclitaxel, and it was possible to use the cells at day 21 as an inoculum for another cycle of production batch. Using SCBP, paclitaxel productions at day 42 were increased from 46.9 at cycle 1 to 85.5 mg l −1 at cycle 4, but decreased at cycle 5 and 6. It was elucidated that the enhanced production of paclitaxel by SCBP was mainly due to the pre-treatment of silver nitrate.

A method for mass production of taxol by semi-continuous culture

The present invention relates to a method for mass production of taxol by semi-continuous culture of Taxus genus plant with a high yield. According to the present invention, taxol can be prepared with a high yield, by employing semi-continuous culture of Taxus genus plant cell, which comprises: (i) inoculating Taxus genus plant cell on a medium containing 1 to 10 % (w/v) sugar, and incubating it; and, (ii) transferring 1/10 to 1/2 volume of the culture obtained in the step (i) to a fresh medium and repeating the step (i), adding 1 to 10 % (w/v) sugar to the remnant culture and incubating to the time of maximum production of taxol.