TITLE:
Effects of Ascorbic Acid in Controlling Lethal Browning in in Vitro Culture of Brahylaena huillensis Using Nodal Segments
AUTHORS:
Cosmas Funguomali Ndakidemi, Emerald Mneney, Patrick Alois Ndakidemi
KEYWORDS:
Asteraceae; Phenolic Compounds; Antioxidant; Axidized Phenols
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.5 No.1,
January
22,
2014
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.