Abstract: A self-made internal loop airlift bioreactor was used for production of artemisinin by Artemisia annua L. hairy root multi-plate culture. The hairy root cultures grew evenly either between the two meshes or attaching to the stainless steel meshes in the bioreactor. Under the optimal conditions of 12 h/d light cycle and 25 ℃, the dry weight and artemisinin yield reached 22.57 g/L and 374.4 mg/L respectively after 20 days. Meantime, the kinetics of sugar, phosphate, nitrate and ammonium uptake during the course of culture were studied.

Key words: Artemisia annua, Internal loop airlift bioreactor, Hairy root, Artemisinin, Kinetics