Effects of biological factors on cell growth and anthocyanin formation by suspended cultures of Perilla frutescens cells.

Effects of biological factors (i.e., size of cell aggregates, subculture period, and inoculum density) on cell growth and production of anthocyanin pigment (a secondary metabolite) by suspended cultures of Perilla frutescens plant cells were investigated on a flask scale. It was found that anthocyanin content was lower in a culture inoculated with cells of size greater than 250 microns, compared with unscreen-sized cells or cells smaller than 250 microns. Subculture periods of 7 and 10 days were suitable for the cell cultures since favorable growth and a high level of anthocyanin content were maintained during a long period of subculture. An inoculum density (wet cells) of 50 g/L was the best for both the cell growth and pigment accumulation in flask culture of P. frutescens cells.