The effect of dissolved oxygen controlled level on the taxol production by suspended cell culture of Taxus chinensis was examined in shake flasks and in a 20L aerated and agitated bioreactor with a six\|flat\|bladed turbine.It was found in shake flasks that oxygen supply exhibited significant influence on the production of taxol.Further investigation in bioreactor showed that noly 1.5mg/L taxol was produced when DO(dissolved oxygen)level was 20%.Taxol production increased when DO level was increased to 40%～60%.Moreover,taxol accumulation was remarkably improved by the cultivation of cells initially at the DO level of 60% during the growth phase for 14 days followed by changing the DO level to 20%～40% during the taxol production phase for another 10 days.An optimum taxol level of 7.2mg/L was obtained by the dissolved oxygen controlled process.
