Growth Media for Insect cell culture

In modern biotechnology insect cell culture is gaining a considerable attention for production of recombinant proteins. Insect cell systems provide improved target protein solubility and important post-translational modifications for increased activity. Baculovirus Expression Vector System (BEVS) is the well known system to utilize the insect cell lines for the production of recombinant proteins. The media used for insect cell culture is a complex mixture of Amino acid, Monosaccharide, Vitamin, Inorganic ion, trace elements, fetal bovine serum (FBS) and broad spectrum antibiotics. The popular culture media required for the growth of various insect lines are given in Table 8.4.

# NOTE: FBS and antibiotics solution are added after sterilization to make it complete media

General method of preparation: Dissolve dry powder of medium in cell culture grade water (80% of the final volume). Mix powder until dissolved completely. Add required amount of other component, mix completely and adjust the pH to 6.9-7.3 using 1N NaOH or 1N HCl. Make up the final volume with cell culture grade water. Sterilize the solution using a 0.22μm membrane filter. Finally, aseptically add antibiotics and serum to the sterilized incomplete media.