scholarly journals In vivo Rooting, Acclimatization and Ex situ Conservation of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (Beles) in Tigray Region of Ethiopia, Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (04) ◽  
pp. 265-269
Author(s):  
Shastri Prasad Shukla ◽  
Zinabu Hailu ◽  
Yemene Kehsay

Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. commonly known as prickly pear or Beles is a xerophytic, succulent, CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) plant introduced in Ethiopia (Africa), particularly to Tigray region between 1848 and 1920. It is known as a multipurpose plant since it can be used as human food (fruits and vegetables), medicine and ornamental plants, fodder, natural wind barrier, soil stabilizer, re-vegetation resource in eroded soils. Stem of this plant has been reported to treat diabetes and useful in the cure of hyperlipidemy (excess of lipids in the blood) and obesity. It is well recognized for their wound healing properties and anticancer effects. Conventionally, it is propagated by seeds but physiological limitations of the seeds, such as; low germination rate, genetic segregation, less guarantee of genetic stability, a long juvenile stage, less availability and low viability, and slow seedling growth rate are major constraints in the multiplication of this species in nature. In the present study we developed an efficient procedure for mass multiplication, acclimatization and ex-situ conservation of this succulent plant in Adigrat region of Ethiopia (Africa). In the present study out of six used in vitro - raised clones, maximum average height of the plantlet (13 cm.) and width (8.5 cm.) were observed in the plantlets (X6 ) and (X5 ) clones at 30.29 and 29.15oC temperatures, respectively on a modified substrate. Here, the effects of temperature and duration were significant in the increment of clones height and width. Thus, the developed efficient acclimatization techniques of this crop will ensure the supply of the in vitro-raised plantlets throughout the year to the consumers in Tigray region of Ethiopia.

Author(s):  
Jorge Juan Vicedo ◽  
Emilio Laguna ◽  
Segundo Ríos ◽  
José Casas

Lapiedra martinezii Lag. (Amaryllidaceae) is an autumn-flowering geophyte that grows in coastal and sublittoral environments. The interests on this species has come out during the last decades due to its content in bioactive alkaloids and its conservational status. The aim of this work was to review the available information on L. martinezii and to assess whether it could be introduced as ornamental plant in xero-gardening. Therefore, the aesthetic traits were analyzed and compared to other cultivated and wild plants. Also, information on its ecological and propagation requirements were checked to discern whether it could be adapted under different production systems and culture conditions. In addition, other aspects were also analyzed to identify strengths and limitations of this species for its further revalorization as ornamental plant. The results obtained suggest that L. martinezii could be a good choice as foliage plant to grow it on gardens as an alpine bulb or pot plant. Moreover, it might be quite well adapted under different production and culture conditions in dry and semi-arid regions. The horticultural traits related to its germination and in vitro multiplication are interesting strengths to bear in mind for its industrial propagation and early domestication. Finally considered, the introduction in xero-gardening could also help in its ex-situ conservation. However, a more-in-depth research would be needed to finally introduce it in the ornamental plants’ market.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
Yusuf Sigit Ahmad Fauzan ◽  
Edhi Sandra ◽  
Daru Mulyono

The population density of natural agarwood (Aquilaria beccariana) in Indonesia decreased to less than one tree per hectare. Efforts have been carried out on ex situ conservation of agarwood despite facing many obstacles. In vitro propagation is one alternative to speed up the recovery of natural agarwood populations. The purpose of this study was to obtain optimal elongation media for in vitro culture with addition of auxin and cytokinin, namely IBA, BAP and kinetin. The results showed that the best auxin-cytokinin combination was IBA 0.1 mg/L and BAP 0.05 mg/L. This combination increased the height and number of segments of A. beccariana with an average height of 1.64 cm and average number of sections of 6.40. It is suggested that this combination of IBA and BAP was the most effective compared to the other treatments. In addition, the combination of IBA 0 mg/L and BAP 0.03 mg/L gave rise to the best response to increase the number of shoots with an average of 1.91 shoots.Keywords: Aquilaria beccariana, shoot, elongation, auxin, cytokinin ABSTRAKKepadatan populasi gaharu (Aquilaria beccariana) alam di Indonesia kurang dari satu pohon per hektar. Upaya pelestarian gaharu ex situ telah banyak dilakukan tetapi masih banyak kendala. Perbanyakan gaharu in vitro merupakan salah satu cara alternatif untuk mempercepat pemulihan populasi gaharu alam. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk memperoleh media elongasi yang optimal pada kultur in vitro gaharu dengan penambahan kombinasi zat pengatur tumbuh auksin dan sitokinin. Pada penelitian ini digunakan auksin IBA, serta sitokinin BAP dan Kinetin. Hasil penelitian elongasi diperoleh kombinasi auksin dan sitokinin terbaik yaitu, IBA 0,1 mg/L dan BAP 0,05 mg/L. Kombinasi ini meningkatkan tinggi dan jumlah ruas Aquilaria beccariana dengan tinggi rata-rata sebesar 1,64 cm dan jumlah ruas rata-rata sebesar 6,40 ruas. Pada kombinasi dan taraf ini diduga mekanisme kerja IBA dan BAP paling efektif dibanding perlakuan yang lain. Sedangkan kombinasi IBA 0 mg/L dan BAP 0,03 mg/L memberikan respon terbaik terhadap peningkatan jumlah tunas dengan rata-rata sebanyak 1,91 tunas.Kata Kunci: Aquilaria beccariana, tunas, elongasi, auksin, sitokinin


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 1752-1763 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia Sarropoulou ◽  
Eleni Maloupa

Sideritis raeseri Boiss & Heldr. subsp. raeseri, known in Greece as Mountain tea of Parnassus or Velouchi is a range restricted medicinal plant of the Balkan peninsula. Conventional propagation methods did not allow the mass production of plant material in a short period of time due to both low seed germination rate and rooting of cuttings. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish a reliable, reproducible and efficient regeneration protocol for mass and large-scale micropropagation, germplasm and ex situ conservation of S. raeseri Boiss & Heldr. using Imazalil and Carbendazim fungicides. After 9 weeks, 2.5-10 mg/l Imazalil stimulated root length by 1 cm but diminished root number and rooting percentage. Optimum shoot number (5.58), shoot length (24.91 mm), shoot multiplication (100%), root number (20.63) and rooting (66.67%) were recorded with 0.5 mg/l kinetin (KN) + 0.05 mg/l ?-napthaleneacetic acid (NAA) (Imazalil-free). After 4 ½ weeks, 1 mg/l Carbendazim + 0.5 mg/l 6-benzyladenine (BA) yielded 5.77 shoots/explant, 16.1 mm shoot length and 100% shoot multiplication. However, Carbendazim did not result in rooting. The ex vitro survival percentage of rooted shoot-tip explants derived from Imazalil experiment was 95%. Carbendazim proved useful in shoot proliferarion and Imazalil in root elongation of S. raeseri Boiss & Heldr. subsp. raeseri micropropagation system.  


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 934
Author(s):  
Chris O’Brien ◽  
Jayeni Hiti-Bandaralage ◽  
Raquel Folgado ◽  
Alice Hayward ◽  
Sean Lahmeyer ◽  
...  

Recent development and implementation of crop cryopreservation protocols has increased the capacity to maintain recalcitrant seeded germplasm collections via cryopreserved in vitro material. To preserve the greatest possible plant genetic resources globally for future food security and breeding programs, it is essential to integrate in situ and ex situ conservation methods into a cohesive conservation plan. In vitro storage using tissue culture and cryopreservation techniques offers promising complementary tools that can be used to promote this approach. These techniques can be employed for crops difficult or impossible to maintain in seed banks for long-term conservation. This includes woody perennial plants, recalcitrant seed crops or crops with no seeds at all and vegetatively or clonally propagated crops where seeds are not true-to-type. Many of the world’s most important crops for food, nutrition and livelihoods, are vegetatively propagated or have recalcitrant seeds. This review will look at ex situ conservation, namely field repositories and in vitro storage for some of these economically important crops, focusing on conservation strategies for avocado. To date, cultivar-specific multiplication protocols have been established for maintaining multiple avocado cultivars in tissue culture. Cryopreservation of avocado somatic embryos and somatic embryogenesis have been successful. In addition, a shoot-tip cryopreservation protocol has been developed for cryo-storage and regeneration of true-to-type clonal avocado plants.


Genetika ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-227
Author(s):  
Jelena Aleksic ◽  
Sasa Orlovic

Principles of the conservation of genetic resources of elms (Ulmus spp) do not differ fundamentally from the general principles accepted for the conservation of genetic resources of other common Noble Hardwoods. Efficient conservation can best be achieved through appropriate combination of in situ and ex situ methods, which have distinct advantages. Besides that, ex situ conservation is employed when emergency measures are needed for rare endangered populations and when populations are too small to be managed in situ (e.g. risks of genetic drift and inbreeding). The aim of our research is ex situ conservation of genetic resources of field elm {Ulmus minor Mill) and European white elm (Ulmus laevis Pall) through establishment of field genebanks. Sampling was conducted in one population of field elm and one population of white elm. Plant material (buds) from 8 trees of field elm and 10 trees of white elm was used for in vitro production of clones. Obtained clones will be used for establishment of field genebanks on the experimental estate of the Institute of Lowland Forestry and Environment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-247
Author(s):  
Mbarka Hfaiedh ◽  
Dalel Brahmi ◽  
Mohamed Nizar Zourgui ◽  
Lazhar Zourgui

Environmental and occupational exposure to chromium compounds, especially hexavalent chromium, is widely recognized as potentially nephrotoxic in humans and animals. The present study aimed to assess the efficacy of cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) against sodium dichromate-induced nephrotoxicity, oxidative stress, and genotoxicity. Cactus cladodes extract (CCE) was phytochemically studied and tested in vitro for its potential antioxidant activities. Additionally, the preventive effect of CCE against sodium dichromate-induced renal dysfunction in a Wistar rat model (24 rats) was evaluated. For this purpose, CCE at a dose of 100 mg/kg was orally administered, followed by 10 mg/kg sodium dichromate (intraperitoneal injection). After 40 days of treatment, the rats were sacrificed, and the kidneys were excised for histological, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzyme analyses. The phenol, flavonoid, tannin, ascorbic acid, and carotenoid contents of CCE were considered to be important. Our analyses showed that 1 mL of CCE was equivalent to 982.5 ± 1.79 μg of gallic acid, 294.37 ± 0.84 μg of rutin, 234.78 ± 0.24 μg of catechin, 204.34 ± 1.53 μg of ascorbic acid, and 3.14 ± 0.51 μg of β-carotene. In vivo, pretreatment with CCE was found to provide significant protection against sodium dichromate-induced nephrotoxicity by inhibiting lipid peroxidation, preserving normal antioxidant activities, and protecting renal tissues from lesions and DNA damage. The nephroprotective potential of CCE against sodium dichromate toxicity might be due to its antioxidant properties.


Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salman Ul Islam ◽  
Muhammad Bilal Ahmed ◽  
Haseeb Ahsan ◽  
Mazharul Islam ◽  
Adeeb Shehzad ◽  
...  

Human skin is continuously subjected to environmental stresses, as well as extrinsic and intrinsic noxious agents. Although skin adopts various molecular mechanisms to maintain homeostasis, excessive and repeated stresses can overwhelm these systems, leading to serious cutaneous damage, including both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. Phytochemicals present in the diet possess the desirable effects of protecting the skin from damaging free radicals as well as other benefits. Dietary phytochemicals appear to be effective in preventing skin cancer and are inexpensive, widely available, and well tolerated. Multiple in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-angiogenic characteristics of dietary phytochemicals against skin malignancy. Moreover, dietary phytochemicals affect multiple important cellular processes including cell cycle, angiogenesis, and metastasis to control skin cancer progression. Herein, we discuss the advantages of key dietary phytochemicals in whole fruits and vegetables, their bioavailability, and underlying molecular mechanisms for preventing skin cancer. Current challenges and future prospects for research are also reviewed. To date, most of the chemoprevention investigations have been conducted preclinically, and additional clinical trials are required to conform and validate the preclinical results in humans.


Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvana Alfei ◽  
Barbara Marengo ◽  
Guendalina Zuccari

Oxidative stress (OS), triggered by overproduction of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, is the main mechanism responsible for several human diseases. The available one-target drugs often face such illnesses, by softening symptoms without eradicating the cause. Differently, natural polyphenols from fruits and vegetables possess multi-target abilities for counteracting OS, thus representing promising therapeutic alternatives and adjuvants. Although in several in vitro experiments, ellagitannins (ETs), ellagic acid (EA), and its metabolites urolithins (UROs) have shown similar great potential for the treatment of OS-mediated human diseases, only UROs have demonstrated in vivo the ability to reach tissues to a greater extent, thus appearing as the main molecules responsible for beneficial activities. Unfortunately, UROs production depends on individual metabotypes, and the consequent extreme variability limits their potentiality as novel therapeutics, as well as dietary assumption of EA, EA-enriched functional foods, and food supplements. This review focuses on the pathophysiology of OS; on EA and UROs chemical features and on the mechanisms of their antioxidant activity. A discussion on the clinical applicability of the debated UROs in place of EA and on the effectiveness of EA-enriched products is also included.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 2243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranjini Sankaranarayanan ◽  
D. Ramesh Kumar ◽  
Janki Patel ◽  
G. Jayarama Bhat

Despite decades of research to elucidate the cancer preventive mechanisms of aspirin and flavonoids, a consensus has not been reached on their specific modes of action. This inability to accurately pinpoint the mechanism involved is due to the failure to differentiate the primary targets from its associated downstream responses. This review is written in the context of the recent findings on the potential pathways involved in the prevention of colorectal cancers (CRC) by aspirin and flavonoids. Recent reports have demonstrated that the aspirin metabolites 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,3-DHBA), 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,5-DHBA) and the flavonoid metabolites 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzoic acid (2,4,6-THBA), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (3,4-DHBA) and 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid (3,4,5-THBA) were effective in inhibiting cancer cell growth in vitro. Limited in vivo studies also provide evidence that some of these hydroxybenzoic acids (HBAs) inhibit tumor growth in animal models. This raises the possibility that a common pathway involving HBAs may be responsible for the observed cancer preventive actions of aspirin and flavonoids. Since substantial amounts of aspirin and flavonoids are left unabsorbed in the intestinal lumen upon oral consumption, they may be subjected to degradation by the host and bacterial enzymes, generating simpler phenolic acids contributing to the prevention of CRC. Interestingly, these HBAs are also abundantly present in fruits and vegetables. Therefore, we suggest that the HBAs produced through microbial degradation of aspirin and flavonoids or those consumed through the diet may be common mediators of CRC prevention.


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