Different shake flask closures alter gas phase composition and ajmalicine production in Catharanthus roseus cell suspensions

The type of closure chosen for plant cell cultures can significantly alter the headspace gas composition of a culture, leading to major differences in the production of secondary metabolites. In cell suspension cultures of Catharanthus roseus, ethylene accumulated in cultures with limited gas exchange and appeared to inhibit the production of ajmalicine. The variability in product yields between replicates can also be attributed to gas composition differences.