COMPUTER-AIDED MODELING AND OPTIMIZATION FOR CAPSAICINOID PRODUCTION BY IMMOBILIZED CAPSICUM-FRUTESCENS CELLS

Production of capsaicinoids by immobilized cell cultures of Capsicum e ntrapped in calcium alginate matrix is influenced by several factors r elated to immobilization techniques, including me&a composition and th e biosynthetic capability of cells. Central composite rotatable design (CCRD), one of the response surface methodologies, was used to arrive at optimal conditions for maximizing the yields of capsaicinoids in o nly 53 experiments, instead of 15,625. Immobilization of cells in 2.5% sodium alginate with 15 min contact time in 60 mm calcium chloride an d culture in Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 3 mg l-1 2,4 -dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 0.2% curdlan gave the highest yield of 220 mug g-1 in 3 days.