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-1 FWB) within beads and excreted it into the culture medium (up to 8 μg·g-1 FWB). Contrary to suspended cells which have accumulated only traces of this metabolite within intracellular compartments (1 μg·g-1 FWB), no scopolin has been found into the culture medium.