Indole alkaloid production by hairy root cultures of catharanthus roseus: Growth kinetics and fermentation

Growth kinetics and indole alkaloid production ofCatharanthus roseus hairy root cultures were studied in shake flasks and in a small scale fermenter. A logistic growth model commonly used for microbes described well the growth of hairy roots. Of the several parameters analyzed during the cultivation of hairy roots, a linear relationship between sucrose consumption and dry weight increase was obtained. This suggests the validity of sugar analysis as a means in monitoring the growth of hairy roots in fermenters.