Enhanced production of scopolin bySolanum aviculare cells immobilised within Ca-alginate gel beads.

Different matrices, obtained by varying calcium (0.1 to 1.5M) and alginate (1 to 1.5%) concentrations, were used to study the influence of immobilisation parameters on the behaviour ofS. aviculare. A significant modulation of cell growth, cell release, and scopolin production and excretion has been observed. Physiological and morphological characteristics ofSolanum aviculare cells immobilised within Ca-alginate beads were notably different from those of suspended cells. ImmobilisedS. aviculare have accumulated scopolin (up to 120 μg·g FWB) within beads and excreted it into the culture medium (up to 8 μg·g FWB). Contrary to suspended cells which have accumulated only traces of this metabolite within intracellular compartments (1 μg·g FWB), no scopolin has been found into the culture medium.