Statistical Media Optimization for Enhanced Biomass and Artemisinin Production in Artemisia Annua Hairy Roots

Abstract

Artemisinin is an effective anti-malarial drug which is widely used to cure multi-drug resistant malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. Production via hairy root cultivation of plant cell lines features an attractive alternative for in-vitro mass production of artemisinin. Identification of appropriate medium recipe for growth and product formation is extremely important for increased biomass and /or Artemisinin production. Statistical media design was used to establish optimal concentration of the media components in the cultivation medium. Using optimized media it was possible to enhance the biomass concentration in the shake flask hairy root cultivation to 5.70 g/L and Artemisinin content to 1.9 mg/g in 15d. These values are significantly greater than the corresponding values from the un-optimized medium.