Monitoring of Metal Elements in Cell Culture Supernatant using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer

User Benefits

- The cell culture supernatant can be analyzed with only dilution using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. - Using the auto atomizer changer (AAC), which can easily switch between the flame method and electric thermal method, it is possible to easily analyze a wide range of metal elements from trace amounts (ppb) to high concentrations (ppm).

Introduction

The active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) of antibody drugs are mainly produced by culturing CHO (Chinese hamster ovary) cells. In recent years, it has been reported that the cellular metabolism and primary structure of the antibodies produced in a culture medium are influenced by the metallic element concentration of the medium. For example, where metallic elements in the cell culture supernatant are concerned, it has been noted that the pathway of lactic acid metabolism in CHO cells changes depending on the copper (Cu) concentration in the culture medium1), and the constituent sugars of glycans attached to IgG antibodies change depending on the Mn/Zn ratio in the culture medium2). Therefore, monitoring the concentrations of metallic elements in the cell culture supernatant is considered critical for maintaining uniform quality in antibody drugs. In previous studies, we have presented the case of analyzing metal elements in a cell-free pre-culture medium using atomic absorption spectroscopy with only dilution pretreatment3). In this study, we verify that this method can be applied to the analysis of metal elements in the medium (culture supernatant) collected over time during cell culture.

March 4, 2021 GMT