Liquid Culture Systems for in vitro Plant Propagation

Chapter 6
Application of bioreactor systems for large scale
production of horticultural and medicinal plants
K. Y. Paek, Debasis Chakrabarty & E. J. Hahn
Research Center for the Development of Advanced Horticultural Technology,
Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea
Abstract: Automation of micropropagation via organogenesis or somatic embryogenesis in a
bioreactor has been advanced as a possible way of reducing costs. Micropropagation by
conventional techniques is typically a labour-intensive means of clonal propagation. The
paper describes lower cost and less labour-intensive clonal propagation through the use of
modified air-lift, bubble column, bioreactors (a balloon-type bubble bioreactor), together with
temporary immersion systems for the propagation of shoots, bud-clusters and somatic
embryos. Propagation of Anoectochilus, apple, Chrysanthemum, garlic, ginseng, grape,
Lilium, Phalaenopsis and potato is described. In this chapter, features of bioreactors and
bioreactor process design specifically for automated mass propagation of several plant crops
are described, and recent research aimed at maximizing automation of the bioreactor
production process is highlighted.
Key words: Anoectochilus, apple, automated masspropagation, Chrysanthemum, dissolved
oxygen, garlic, ginseng, grape, Lilium, micropropagation, mixing, nutrients, pH,
Phalaenopsis, potato, secondary metabolites, siberian ginseng, somatic embryogenesis
Abbreviations: BTBB�balloon type bubble bioreactor; DO�dissolved oxygen;
IEDC�induced embryogenic determined cells; PLB�protocorm-like body;
PPF�photosynthetic photon flux; STR�stirred tank reactor
1. Introduction
Large-scale plant production through cell tissue and embryo cultures
using bioreactors is promising for industrial plant propagation. Bioreactors
are usually described in a biochemical context as self-contained, sterile
environments which capitalize on liquid nutrient or liquid/air inflow and
outflow systems, designed for intensive culture and affording maximal
A.K. Hvoslef-Eide and W. Preil (eds.), Liquid Culture Systems for in vitro Plant Propagation, 95–116.
© 2005 Springer. Printed in the Netherlands.
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