PLANT CELL PHOTOAUTOTROPHIC SUSPENSION CULTURES. ESTABLISHMENT AND APPLICATION PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

Because of their photoautotrophic nature and ability to grow independently as isolated cells, photoautotrophic plant cell cultures have contributed, since their discovery, with important information about photosynthesis and the production of specific secondary metabolites. The reduction of oil deposits and the search for new energy sources to face this situation requires evaluating the potential of these photosynthetic systems for producing biodiesel and bioethanol as alternative systems to cyanobacteria. In this analytical review about the photoautotrophic plant cell cultures, the essential characteristics and the strategies employed for improving their growth in vitro are described making reference to the photoautotrophic cell systems obtained up to now and also establishing their actual and potential applications. From this analysis, it is evident the necessity of evaluating these cell cultures as alternative models for biofuel production.