Mass transfer effects in microencapsulated hybridoma cells producing monoclonal antibodies

Rat-mouse and mouse-mouse hybridoma cell lines were used for formation of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) in microcapsules of different sizes. Microcapsules were made of poly L-lysine-alginate hydrogel membranes. The effects of extracapsule liquid film, intra-capsule and transmembrane transfer limitations of nutrients/products on system’s performance were investigated. An agitation speed of 45 rpm (4 cm/s tip speed) was found to be optimal in spinner flasks to overcome liquid film resistances around capsules. Capsule sizes need to be reduced to smaller than 350 ε in order to eliminate intracapsule transfer limitations with a typical initial viable cell concentration of 0.5x10⁵ viable cells/mL capsule. Double coating of capsules to improve strength of capsules resulted in higher transmembrane transfer resistances.