Membrane filtration of cell culture media is a robust, easy to implement, time-tested solution that significantly reduces the risk of bioreactor contamination. Selecting a membrane filter is highly dependent on risk analysis, and the filter capacity for your specific media. Traditional sterilizing-grade filters are rated to have a membrane pore size of 0.2 μm or smaller, which enables quantitative retention of bacterial contaminants. However, smaller adventitious agents can penetrate these filters. Mycoplasma-retentive (0.1 μm) or virus-retentive(approximately 20 nm) filters are alternatives which can minimize contamination risks from smaller adventitious agents. The purpose of this study was to provide estimated filtration areas for different sterilizing-grade filters with a panel of media used for Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell culture processes and highlight an approach for assessing cell culture performance.<br/>The first part of this study evaluated the throughput of a panel of cell culture media on different sterilizing-grade filters, each with different retention specifications. In all cases, as cell culture media was processed over the filters, flow through the membrane pores became restricted resulting in reduced flux and slower throughput over time. Irrespective of which membrane filter was used, cell viability and viable cell density profiles were consistent. Results confirm neither filter pore size (0.2 µm or 0.1 µm) nor membrane composition (PVDF or PES) impacted growth of CHO cells in filtered tested Fed-batch medium.

Filter selection and cell culture performance

ACS Fall 2021

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