Bioreactor studies on hairy root cultures of Catharanthus roseus: Comparison of three bioreactor types

Hairy roots of Catharanthus roseus were cultivated in three different types of bioreactors. The best growth and indole alkaloid production was achieved in an airsparged bioreactor with no other mixing. In the stirred bioreactor or in the bioreactor with medium circulation the roots did not grow, suggesting that hairy roots of C. roseus are more sensitive to stress than root cultures of many other plant species.