SIMPLE METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF AGAROSE BIOPARTICLES

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.