Jar Fermenter Culture of Shoot-forming Cultures of Digitalis purpurea L. Using a Revised Medium

Abstract

A revised medium for digitoxin production by shoot-forming cultures of Digitalis purpurea L. was established. Using this medium, jar fermenter culture of the shoot-forming cultures was performed. Approximately 25 g fresh weight of cells was inoculated into a 3-liter jar fermenter containing 2.5 liter of the medium, and cultured for 15 days at 28°C with aeration of 1.4vvm without mechanical agitation. The jar was illuminated continuously throughout the culture period. The cell yield was 38.5 g dry weight perjar and the total digitoxin formation was 1610 μg per jar. The optimumrate of aeration was 1.4vvm and mechanical agitation had little effect.