Hybridoma growth and monoclonal antibody production in iron-rich protein-free medium: effect of nutrient concentration.

The iron-rich (500 microM ferric citrate) protein-free supplement was added to six different basal media. Cell growth and monoclonal antibody production of a mouse-mouse hybridoma were investigated in 1.3 1 batch cultures performed in a laboratory bioreactor with automatic control of pH and dissolved oxygen concentration. RPMI 1640 served as the control medium. Fortification of the basal medium by balanced mixtures of amino acids and vitamins showed higher positive effect than daily supplementation by glucose and glutamine. Strongly fortified medium, based on RPMI 1640, was found superior to other basal media. The viability index increased by a factor of 3.04 and the total antibody production by a factor of 2.82, relative to the control.