A simple method for enhancing paclitaxel release from Taxus canadensis cell suspension cultures utilizing cell wall digesting enzymes.

Paclitaxel storage in Taxus suspension cell cultures was studied through the simple use of cell wall digesting enzymes. The application of cellulase (1%) and pectolyase (0.1%) to Taxus canadensis suspension cultures induced a significant increase in the paclitaxel present in the extracellular medium while maintaining membrane integrity, suggesting that paclitaxel is stored in the cell wall. The addition of cell wall digesting enzymes to a cell culture bioprocess may be an effective way of enhancing paclitaxel release to the extracellular medium and hence simplify product recovery.