Development of a simple non-freezing method to preserve cultured plant cells

A simple procedure to preserve suspended or immobilized plant cell culture (Lavandula vera and Nicotiana tabacum) has been developed. L. vera cells were stored under dark and cool (4°C) conditions n sealed glass bottles. When medium was removed from the system with the immobilized cells, enhanced viability after long-term preservation was obtained. The cells were able to grow successfully after storage for 30 d, and incubation for only 10 d after storage was enough to recover the oxygen uptake activity to the level of that of the original cells. L. vera cells retained the ability to synthesize blue pigments, specific secondary metabolites of the cells, even after storage. Entrapment in calcium alginate beads was effective to preserve the cells more than 50 d. The importance of air supply in preservation was strongly suggested. N. tabacum cells could also be preserved for 30 d.