Biofactory and temporary immersion bioreactor: in vitro propagation of Anthurium andreanum L., and economic viability

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate technical and financial feasibility for implementation of a biofactory for in vitro propagation of anthuriums.

Design/methodology/approach: The experiment had a completely random distribution. Data were subjected to a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), means were compared using Duncan's test (P ? 0.05). In order to calculate the economic viability of the Biofactory, the indicators Equilibrium Point, Benefit/Cost Ratio, Net Present Value (VAV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) were determined.

Results: Commercial SIT Automated Temporary Immersion Vessel (RITA®) was used in this study. An average multiplication rate of 26.4 shoots per explant was obtained using liquid medium supplemented with 2 mg L-1 of 6-bencylaminopurine. For the establishment of the biofactory 210 RITA® were used, with an installed capacity to obtain approximately 400,000 seedlings per year. When performing the financial analysis of this technique, it yielded an Internal Rate of Return of 73.64% and a Cost Benefit Ratio of 1.67 and a Net Present Value of MEX $ 2, 513,056.14 Mexican pesos (US$ 131230.08), over a period of 5 years. These results demonstrated the economic and technical feasibility for the implementation of a biofactory producing anthuriums.

Limitations on study/implications: The use of semi-solid culture media in the multiplication stage reduces the production capacity and significantly reduces the profitability of the Biofactory.

Findings/conclusions: The profitability of a biofactory for the production of anthuriums depends on the multiplication rate, achieved in this case through the use of RITA®, currently has the complete and proven technology to be transferred to any interested entrepreneur.