Polysaccharide production by plant cells in suspension: experiments and mathematical modeling.

Symphytum officinale L cells were grown in Erlenmeyer flasks at four different temperatures: 15, 20, 25, and 30 degrees C. A mathematical model of the culture growth is presented. The intracellular and extracellular products are considered in separate equations. An interrelation between fresh weight, dry weight, and viability is considered in the balances. The model includes a description of the changes in time of wet and dry biomass, cell viability, substrate concentration and polysaccharide concentration, both intra- and extracellular. The model was tested by fitting the numerical results to the data obtained.