A novel method for the immobilisation and culture of plant cells

Abstract

A novel technique is described for the immobilisation of plant cells. The method is simple and does not require the use of potentially toxic gels for the entrapment process. Liquid‐suspended cells of two species, Capsicum frutescens Mill. and Daucus carota L. were found to invade, and were strongly retained in, polyurethane foam particles over a 21 day period. The viability of te immobilised cells was high (70–80% were alive after 21 days). On agitation of the loaded foam particles in fresh liquid medium, at least 95% of the cells remained immobilised after 3 or 4 days.