Cost analysis of Agave potatorum platlets in vitro produced by direct organogenesis

Abstract

Objective: Demonstrate the efficiency and profitability of Temporary Immersion Bioreactors compared to propagation in gelled media.

Design/methodology/approach: Agave potatorum shoots used. They introduced to in vitro system and the multiplication rate and propagation times compared in productivity, an investment project carried out considering the depreciation of the equipment and without considering the construction of the property, this allowed evaluating the cost of production per plant for a goal of 500 thousand plantlets.

Results: 3% contamination was obtained at the beginning of introducing the in vitro system, the multiplication rate in semi-solid used was 4 shoots per explant and 18 shoots per explant in Bioreactors, both at 30 days of incubation, and it was considered a 10 % loss due to handling. The production cost was US$0.16 (MNX$3.20) for gelled media and US$0.09 (MNX$1.80) for propagation in Temporary Immersion Bioreactors. The Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for gelled media was 2.33 and 3.75 for propagation with Bioreactors.

Limitations on study/implications: Study does not contemplate the construction of the property, but it does contemplate the depreciation of the equipment

Findings/conclusions: With the development of science and technology, the use of biotechnological tools is becoming more profitable every day, these technologies are already available to be transferred, and works like this one, where the profitability of said activity is demonstrated, show the possibility of that technology-based companies are generated.