Agarose bioparticles (beads) can easily be formed by the extrusion of
an agarose/yeast cell mixture (at 40 degrees C) into an ice-cold solut
ion of carboxymethylcellulose (1% w/v). Highly regular particles (mean
diameter = 4.05 mm; standard deviation = 0.35 mm) with relatively lit
tle variability in cell stocking density and metabolic activity (respi
ratory rate) can be produced. Gel bioparticles thus formed are more un
iform in size than than those produced using other published methods.