The effect of some environmental factors on the production of L-DOPA by alginate-entrapped cells of Mucuna pruriens.

In-vitro-grown cells of Mucuna pruriens, immobilized in calcium-alginate gels, were able to transform the precursor L-tyrosine into L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA). After the immobilization in alginate the plant cells released 90% of the produced L-DOPA into the medium; supplementation of the medium with calcium inhibited both the transformation of L-tyrosine into L-DOPA and the release of L-DOPA into the medium. Continuous illumination of the beads had a slight beneficial effect on the synthesis of L-DOPA. A simple production medium for the transformation of L-tyrosine into L-DOPA was designed. This medium contained only sucrose and sodium chloride as osmotic stabilizers, a low concentration of calcium chloride for stabilization of the alginate beads, and L-tyrosine as the precursor.