Prakash Kanti Das

In vitro accelerated mass propagation and ex vitro evaluation of Aloe vera L. with aloin content and superoxide dismutase activity

An innovative protocol on accelerated in vitro propagation and acclimatisation was developed in Aloe vera L. Culture was initiated with rhizomatous stem where Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium fortified with 0.5 mg L−1 α-naphthalene acetic acid and 1.5 mg L−1 N6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) promoted earliest shoot induction. Maximum shoot multiplication was achieved in MS medium supplemented with 2.5 mg L−1BAP. The best in vitro rooting was observed in the MS medium with 0.5 mg L−1 indole-3-acetic acid plus 2 g L−1 activated charcoal. The simple acclimatisation process, primarily with a combination of sand and soil (1 : 1 v/v) and finally with a blend of sand, soil and farm yard manure (2 : 1 : 1 v/v), ensured a 98% survival rate. Overall, 192 true-to-type plantlets were achieved from a single explant within 85 days. Morphologically, in vitro generated plants performed better than conventionally propagated plants; nevertheless the similarity in aloin content, gel content and superoxide dismutase activity was corroborated.

Aloe vera: a review update on advancement of in vitro culture

Aloe vera L., commonly known as aloe, secures its position as one of the primary medicinal plants with multipurpose applications starting from pharmaceutical to cosmetic aspects with promising economic return. The plant was under threatened category due to its imprudent harvesting from wild as it is extensively used by medicinal industries for its clinical properties. It also faces problem with its conventional propagation system. The rapidity and success of propagation of aloe have constantly been a key concern for breeders and cultivators. In vitro culture is one of the few efficient techniques to triumph over these inherent intricacies. Over 200 multidisciplinary publications, mostly in the English language, were surveyed for the uses, useful properties, propagation, and biotechnological advancement of aloe. Starting from 1989 up till now, extensive research works have been performed on aloe tissue culture. Nevertheless, there is no review report available on in vitro culture of this plant. The present paper intends to present a comprehensive overview of the in vitro culture of such an important plant of diversified utilities. This article reviews advances made on various aspects of aloe tissue culture and micropropagation, including sterilization of explants, variety of explants sources, direct and indirect organogenesis, acclimatization, and fidelity assessment of in vitro regenerated clones. Since this is the first review on in vitro culture of aloe, it provides an exclusive and noteworthy resource and spring-board from which to commence or further studies associated to in vitro culture of aloe.

Cryopreservation of Forest Tree Seeds: A Mini-Review

Since forest trees form the basis of forest ecosystem, their prolong subsistence is crucial for various flora and fauna. The foremost challenges to sustain the forest ecosystem comprise of the declining forest tree population accompanied with structural changes due to afforestation and exploitation of forest area, environment changes, pests, pollution, and introgressive hybridization. For ex situ conservation approach, in vitro techniques encompass basic role for conserving tree genetic resources, predominantly where natural propagules like recalcitrant seed might not be appropriate for long-term conservation. The practice includes restricted growth techniques, conventional micropropagation, production and storage of synthetic seeds, and cryopreservation. Even though these practices have been applied chiefly to herbaceous species, but recently, woody species were also focused upon. Key conceptions, challenges and techniques for forest tree seed conservation are discussed briefly in this review with special emphasis on some successful cryopreservation approaches for long-term storage.