Synthesis of DEAE-Soybean Starch Microspheres for Adhere Animal Cell Culture

The present study outlines the synthesis of a new microcarrier for anchorage-dependent animal cell cultures. The new microcarriers were synthesized from the cross-linking soybean starch microspheres followed by modification with 2-diethylaminoethyl (DEAE). Furthermore, 5 g/100 mL of wet microspheres DEAE-soybean starch microspheres were applied in the adhere cell culture, with an inoculation density 2.0 × 105 cells/mL of BHK-21, Marc-145, and MDCK cells. The cells were shown to grow well in the DEAE-soybean starch microcarrier, with BHK-21 cells showing a higher cell density after 144 h (2.5 × 106 cells/mL) compared to cells grown on the commercial product Cytodex 1 (2.2 × 106 cells/mL). These starch microcarriers have a potential application in anchorage-dependent animal cells culture, due to its low cost and its simple process.