Production and applications of novel plant cell culture polysaccharides

Abstract

This chapter describes the application of Cooperative Research Center (CRC) gums in preparation of emulsions, cosmetic products, fruit toppings and desserts. Plant cell cultures are candidates for production of polysaccharides (gums) with various functional properties. The CRC for Industrial Plant Biopolymers has been developing the science and technology for production of commercially viable gums from plant cell cultures is also described. More than 130 plants targeted for production of polysaccharide by plant cell culture technology were screened. Callus and suspension cultures were established from the selected cell lines. Suspension cultures were grown in shake flasks and bioreactors up to 100 litres capacity and medium composition and process conditions were optimized. Production was then scaled-up to 1000 liters by the CRC commercial partner, Tridan-Albright and Wilson (Australia) Ltd Partnership. Large batches of products were produced at this scale for product development and application testing. Gums produced by plant cell cultures have a variety of functional properties depending on the plant cell line used. They have been tested in a number of applications and have been very effective emulsifying, thickening and gelling agents.