Development of in vitro primary cell culture system from penaeid shrimp, Penaeus indicus, Penaeus monodon and a sand crab, Emerita asiatica

An in vitro primary cell culture system was developed using eye tissues of white prawn, Penaeus indicus, tissues of eye, eye stalk, and antennae of tiger prawn, P.monodon and antennae of sand crab, Emerita asiatica. The cells were physically disrupted using L-15 medium for passages, after forming monolayer on the culture surface of the vessel. The cells grew better in leibovitz (L-15) medium containing 10% PEG precipitated calf serum at 25 degrees C to 28 degrees C than MEM Eagle with Eagle's and MEM Eagle with Hank's salts. Establishment of cell line from any of the primary cell lines was not successful. More number of passages from primary cell culture of E.asiatica's antennae, was possible compared to primary cell cultures of P.indicus and P.monodon. Sometimes cells originated from antennae of E.astiatica produced monolayer within 2 days. This in vitro cell culture system may provide, a simple and laboratory oriented method for the detection and assay of infectious virus in shrimp hatcheries and industries.