Novel konjac glucomannan microcarriers for anchorage-dependent animal cell culture

•A KGM-based microcarrier was prepared for anchorage-dependent animal cell culture.•Five cell lines adhered well and grew to high cell density on KGM microcarriers.•Vero cells achieved more than 2×106 cells/ml on KGM microcarriers in spinner culture.•Cell density and rabies virus titer were comparable in KGM and Cytodex 1 culture.•The KGM microcarrier could be a promising candidate for various cell cultures.