Journal of Bacteriology & Parasitology

Development of an in vitro propagation protocol for Pycnostachys urticifolia Hook, a South African medicinal plant

9^th Biotechnology Congress

August 31-September 02, 2015 Orlando,Florida, USA

Jerusha R Naidoo1, Y Naidoo1 and M Nakhooda1,2

1University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa 2Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Biotechnol Biomater

Abstract:

Overharvesting of medicinal plants for traditional and commercial use is an increasing conservation concern. Micropropagation of these plants is a necessary measure for both conservation and exploitation of therapeutic phytocompounds. This study aimed to develop a novel and efficient micropropagation protocol for Pycnostachys urticifolia Hook. It is further aimed to compare the micromorphology and trichome density between micropropagated and field grown leaves. Successful decontamination of axillary buds was achieved using 3% NaClO and 0.1% HgCl2 for 10 minutes each. Explants were placed on MS media containing cytokinins [0.5 ml/l 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.5 ml/l 6-furfurylaminopurin (kinetin)] with auxins [0.5 ml/l indole-acetic acid (IAA) and 0.5 ml/l indole-3-butyric acid (IBA)] for bud break and multiplication in 1:1 and 2:1 ratios respectively. Successful bud break was achieved on MS medium containing kinetin and IAA yielding 2.94±0.42 shoots per explants after 2 weeks. Significant shoot proliferation of 2.88±0.33 shoots per explant was achieved after 2 weeks on media containing kinetin (2 mg/l) and IAA (1 mg/l). Shoots were rooted on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l IAA resulting in 77% rooting after 3 weeks. Plantlets were subsequently acclimatized for 1 month in a mist tent resulting in 82% survival. Micropropagated leaves presented a greater density of non-glandular and glandular trichomes compared to field grown leaves. Hence, greater quantities of potentially therapeutic compounds can be harvested from micropropagated leaves of P. urticifolia. Future work should investigate the differences in the phytochemical profiles of leaf extracts from in vitro and field grown plants.

Biography :

Jerusha R Naidoo has completed her PhD and a Member of the Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in the field of Biological Sciences (Cell Biology). Her PhD focuses on the micromorphology of secretory structures, pharmacognosy and development of an in vitro propagation protocol of a South African medicinal plant. This research involves the bioassay-guided isolation and identification of therapeutic phytocompounds and optimization of a micropropagation protocol for mass production of medicinal plant material. Her research expertise includes electron microscopy, phytochemistry, ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, plant biotechnology and nanotechnology.

Email: jrn150889@gmail.com