RECOVERY OF INSECT CELLS USING HOLLOW-FIBER MICROFILTRATION

An efficient method was developed for media separation and cell collec tion for eukaryotic cells growing in suspension. The method is based o n tangential flow microfiltration using an open channel arrangement in a hollow fiber configuration. Best results (highest processing flux r ate) for polysulfone hollow fibers were obtained using fibers with int ernal diameter of 0.75 mm, 0.45 mu m pore size, and a cell suspension flow at a shear rate of 14000 s(-1) (0.032 L/min per fiber). A flux ra te of 500 L/m(2) h can be obtained by maintaining the surface area/cel l ratio at 0.05 m(2)/10 L of cells at a concentration of 2.5 x 10(6) c ells/mL. Forty liters of infected insect cells can be concentrated 10 times in 20 min without affecting cell viability. (C) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.