Effects of Ascorbic Acid in Controlling Lethal Browning in in Vitro Culture of Brahylaena huillensis Using Nodal Segments

Cosmas Funguomali Ndakidemi, Emerald Mneney, Patrick Alois Ndakidemi

Mikocheni Agriculture Research Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
School of Life Science and Bio Engineering, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technol-ogy, Arusha, Tanzania.

DOI: 10.4236/ajps.2014.51024                

Abstract

Brachylaena huillensis (Asteraceae) is a threatened resourceful timber tree species. B. huillensis regenerates only through seeds. However, the seeds have poor germination rate and are also not obtainable. Developing tissue culture techniques for B. huillensis will permit the application of biotechnology to its propagation and provide alternative method for its regeneration. The current study was conducted to investigate the effect of antioxidant ascorbic acid in controlling lethal browning caused by oxidized phenols in in vitro culture of Brachylaena huillensis using nodal segments. The treatments included four levels of ascorbic acid (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, & 250 mg/litre) supplied into basal woody plant medium supplemented with Benzylaminopurine (BAP). The results of the current study revealed that production of phenolic compounds of explants was significantly controlled by incorporating higher levels of ascorbic acid into the medium. The best control was achieved by supplying 200-250 mg/litre of ascorbic acid in the woody plant medium supplemented with BAP.

Keywords

Asteraceae; Phenolic Compounds; Antioxidant; Axidized Phenols

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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