Studies on the development of a medium with peptone and casein hydrolysate for the production of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine in BHK-21 cells.

Studies were undertaken to develop a cheaper medium with indigenous sources of peptone and casein hydrolysate for continuous culture of BHK-21 (suspension) cells and production of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine. Eleven batches of experimental media were prepared using different indigenous sources of casein hydrolysate and peptone. These batches of media were tested for the growth of Razi BHK-21 cells in suspension and compared with the growth in control Eagle's medium. Out of eleven batches only four batches of the media produced cell growth equivalent to that with the Eagle's medium. Cells passaged in these batches of the experimental media supported virus growth and titres were comparable with those in Eagle's medium. Experimental batches of vaccine against FMD virus type A5 were prepared on a pilot scale as well as on a fermenter scale. The protection indices of these vaccine in guinea-pigs were satisfactory and induced 100% protection in cattle. One source each of peptone and casein hydrolysate was found suitable for the experimental medium. The medium developed is able to replace 10 out of 13 amino acids and also tryptose phosphate broth in Eagle's medium and is expected to reduce the cost of medium by 33% compared with Eagle's medium.