Media Preparation
Using specific recipes required for each bioreactor stage of scale up from inoculum to harvest. Media preparation is usually carried out in tanks, carboys, bottles, or bags to which the media is introduced. Like humans, cells also require proper nutrition to function and ultimately produce the protein product.
Therefore, media is predominantly made up of various components: carbohydrate (glucose), nitrogen (amino acids), fats (lipids) and trace amounts of salt. Media components are most often in powder form which is introduced to a high purity grade of water for injection (WFI). Before introducing the cells to culture, the media must be homogeneous and thoroughly mixed. After doing this step, the mixed solution is brought from a bag or carboy towards the bioreactor.
The mixed solution can be transported using a pump if gravity doesn’t do the job and Single Use instruments such as flow, pH, pressure, etc can be utilised to ensure everything is working correctly.