Cellular permeabilization of cultured plant tissues by high electric field pulses or ultra high pressure for the recovery of secondary metabolites

Abstract Chenopodium rubrum and Morinda citrifolia cells were subjected to high electric field pulses (0 to 1.6 kV ∗ cm−1, 0 to 30 pulses) or high hydrostatic pressure (0.1 to 350 MPa, 10 min, RT) to examine their role in cell permeabilization. A maximum amount of 85 % of the total amaranthin content and 5.7 % of total amount of anthraguinones of the cells could be released after treatment with electric field pulses. However, cell viability was lost at release values higher than 16 % and 2 % respectively. Pressure treatment at 350 MPa resulted in pigment release of 99 % and 9.4 %. Viability was lost at pressures of 110 MPa and of 75 MPa respectively. Although the methods applied have limited potential for cell permeabilization while preserving cell viability we are proposing them as useful processes for metabolite recovery.