Comparison of particle bombardment-transformation parameters between stem and calli explants of Aglaonema simplex

Aquatic plant posses a very interesting stress tolerance mechanism compared to terrestrial plants. However, lack of aquatic mutants available is a hindrance to explore the cellular mechanism that governs various adaptations between these two types of plants. Therefore, the aim of this study is to provide the optimum parameters for the genetic transformation of native aquatic plant in tropical country, Aglaonema simplex, by using stem and callus tissue. Explants were bombarded with various sizes of gold particles coated with 35 sec promoter constructed into 35 sec-sGFP-TYG-nos (puc18) plasmid harbouring green fluorescent protein. High transient expression was obtained when the tissues were bombarded twice by gold particles coated with spermidine under acceleration pressure of 1100-1350 psi and with the vacuum pressure set to 24 Hg. The calli were found susceptible to high pressure impact, showing better result at a longer bombardment distance (12 cm) of stopping screen to explants by the use of gold particle of smaller size (1 μm). In contrast, the optimal bombardment distance shown by stem tissues was achieved at a 6 cm distance by the use of gold particle of 1.6 μm. PCR and PCR-southern blot analyses exhibited that the gene was integrated into the genome of transformants and this indicates that the protocol can be used for genetic engineering purpose in the future

Effects of 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol and selected herbicides which induced lipid peroxidation on quantum yield and membrane integrity of weedy plants under dark and light conditions

2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-DTBP) has herbicidal properties that cause lipid peroxidation on plant tissues. The present study aimed at examining the phytotoxic effects of 2,4-DTBP compared to that of selected herbicides which induced lipid peroxidation based on quantum yield (Φ) and membrane integrity of two bioassay weed species namely Oldenlandia verticillata and Leptochloa chinensis under light and dark conditions. Laboratory assays showed reduced Φ of 2,4-DTBP- and dinoterb-treated leaf discs within the first 3 h of the dark incubation period, with further decrease during the subsequent 15 h dark period and 6 h light period. Diuron drastically reduced the Φ of the bioassay species throughout the incubation period. The Φ of glufosinate-treated O. verticillata leaf discs was marginally reduced and decreased further upon light exposure; it had no effect on the Φ of L. chinensis. Fluridone, isoxaflutole, clomazone and oxyfluorfen also had negligible effect on Φ, whereas paraquat caused a rapid reduction in Φ upon light exposure for both bioassay species. 2,4-DTBP, paraquat and dinoterb induced electrolyte leakage during the dark incubation period; this was further increased in the presence of light for O. verticillata and L. chinensis. For both bioassay species, glufosinate caused a marked amount of electrolyte leakage, whereas diuron, fluridone, isoxaflutole, clomazone and oxyfluorfen had negligible effect on ion leakage. These results suggested that 2,4-DTBP has herbicidal activity comparable to that of dinoterb without dependence on light

Efficient micropropagation of Dendrobium aurantiacum from shoot explant

Embryogenic tissue culture (seed tissue culture) is a common practice in plant industry to speed up and mass production. However, the culture method is not widely adopted in most of the orchid species. Micro-size orchid seeds are difficult to obtain and collect due to ambiguous seed maturation period. Most of orchid seeds have no endosperm and highly dependent on the specific fungi for germination and survival. Micropropagation from shoot culture with meristem tissue is potentially be another alternative for mass propagation of orchid. Therefore, this study examine the potential of micropropagation technique by shoot culture in orchid, Dendrobium aurantiacum (F. Muell.) F. Muell. This study reported an effective aseptic technique to develop sterilized D. aurantiacum tissue in vitro. The callus induction and regeneration from shoot explant by utilization of different plant growth regulator had been examined in this study. Among the treatments, 20% sodium hypochlorite with 15 mins sterilization period showed the highest sterilization efficiency on explants with only 16.7±5.8% of contamination occurred after two weeks and obtained highest survival rate 73.3±5.8% after one month. Callus formed in all combinations of plant hormone treatments. Media treated with 10 mg/L 2,4-D showed the highest callus induction rate but browning condition occur after 3 months of culture. Cell count on callus proliferation showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) between control and treatments. In conclusion, micropropagation of D. aurantiacum had been shortened almost 9-12 months required for nature germination

Cytotoxic effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae TC6 and Lactobacillus brevis TBRC 3003 isolated from Thai fermented foods

Purpose: To determine the cytotoxic effect, anti-colony formation effect and antimigratory effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae TC6 isolated from Thai water kefir, and Lactobacillus brevis TBRC 3003 isolated from picked cabbage. Methods: Crude microbial extracts were obtained from whole cultures (cells and broths) using ethyl acetate as extracting solvent, and the dried extracts were redissolved in ethanol before use. Cytotoxic, antiproliferative and antimigratory effects of the two microbial extracts on MCF-7, HepG2, and HeLa were tested using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetra zolium bromide (MTT), clonogenic formation and wound healing assays. Results: Lb. brevis TBRC 3003 showed the highest cytotoxicity toward HepG2 cells (IC50 of 669.72 µg/mL), while S. cerevisiae TC6 showed the highest cytotoxicity against MCF-7 (IC50 of 691.49 µg/mL) and HeLa (IC50 of 379.16 µg/mL) based on MTT assay. Anti-colony formation test showed that S. cerevisiae TC6 was most the most effective in inhibiting colony formation of HepG2 (IC50 of 311.12 µg/mL) and HeLa (IC50 of 494.64 µg/mL), while Lb. brevis TBRC 3003 was the most potent in inhibiting colony formation of MCF-7 (IC50 of 267.88 µg/mL). Conclusion: Both microbes can potentially be implemented in functional foods as bio-therapeutics with chemopreventive properties against breast, liver and cervical cancers

Analysis of the comparative study on flower pigments with phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity in orchid plants

Background: Orchidaceae plants have been one of the most important industrial products in the agricultural industry around the world. Since the flower petals have eye-catching pigments, they can be used as cut flowers in addition to being potted flowers. Objective: The key pigments found in orchid flower petals were studied, as well as their relationships to phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity. Results: Total anthocyanin content of six different orchids’ petals was determined specthrophotometrically and the value ranged from 0 mg/g (in Dendrobium Shavin white) to 2.128 mg/g (in Mokara Aranda). The petals with vivid colour have a high amount of anthocyanin content, while, they have a high amount of chlorophyll content for those with pale colour. Total anthocyanin content was found to be the highest when compare to β-carotene and chlorophyll content. PAL behaviour was found to be significantly positive associated with anthocyanin content in correlation analysis. Conclusion: The results indicate the potential for PAL enzyme as a biomarker for flower colour in orchids

Growth media derived from solid waste for orchid Dendrobium kingianum culture

Food waste and diaper waste contribute to top three ranking solid wastes in Malaysia. Many studies show that urine and food waste can be used as plant fertilizer but less attention has been given to the recycling of used diaper. Therefore, this study was conducted to formulate Dendrobium kingianum growing media by utilizing diaper waste and selected food waste: banana peels, coffee waste and eggshells. The chemical composition in diaper waste and food waste were determined by using ICP-OES method. Biochar derived from oil palm waste, sugarcane and sawdust were tested to reduce and neutralize the high ammonium content from diaper waste. Biochar derived from oil palm waste showed the best reduction of ammonium in diaper waste. Survival and growth performance of Dendrobium kingianum was observed and recorded. Results show that orchid in diaper formulated growth media T3 showed the best adaptation and growth performance with highest percentage of healthy leaves and number of absorption roots within 3 weeks observation period. These results revealed that diaper waste could be recycled as orchid growing media by formulating with food waste and biochar

Preliminary study of pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm. spent mushroom compost as nutrient supplement on the shoot induction of fig tissue culture

Spent mushroom compost is identified as waste substrate. As the mushroom agriculture industry is growing rapidly, the production also increases and contributes to large amounts of spent mushroom compost annually. The conversion of spent mushroom compost as waste to wealth is a great concept that can give value to agricultural industry and solid waste management of mushroom cultivation. The use of SMC as nurient supplement may reduce the production cost for in vitro culture of fig plant. This research is to study the use of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm. spent mushroom compost (SMC) as a nutrient supplement of the media in shoot induction of fig plant. Nodal segment of fig’s stem was cultured in MS media supplemented with different concentrations of SMC. With presence of SMC, 10% SMC have the highest shoot proliferation (2.167 ± 1.169) and length of shoot (0.154 ± 0.060 cm). The study revealed that in presence of 10% of SMC could produce new shoots at a frequency which was comparable to the control (p<0.05; n=3; Tukey’s multiple range test). Among the different media combinations of plant growth regulators with SMC, 15 μM Kinetin with 10% SMC is the most effective treatment which gave maximum number of shoot proliferation (3.00 ± 1.27). 30 μM IAA with 10% SMC media have the highest leaves regenerated which were 1.33 ± 0.84. In conclusion, the SMC added in media for plant tissue culture had positive effect on shoot induction thus highlighted the potential of waste substrate of SMC to act as nutrient supplement for plant tissue culture

Effect of gibberellic acid and eggshell on Hylocereus polyrhizus

Dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) is a tropical fruit. Recently, it has gained interest from the public due to its potential beneficial effects on health. The acclimatization of micropropagated Hylocereus polyrhizus depends on the application of gibberellic acid (GA3 ) to increase plant growth. Eggshells are waste materials from industrial sectors, and they are composed of calcium source that is vital for the development of plant shoots and root. The objective of this research is to investigate the effect of different concentrations of GA3 and eggshell either added individually or in combination on the growth of shoot length and shoot diameter of H. polyrhizus. The result showed the shoot length of the H. polyrhizus increased by approximately 54.69%, from 0.64 ± 0.13 cm to 0.99 ± 0.26 cm, as the concentration of GA3 increased from 0 ppm to 10 ppm. Furthermore, this finding also reported that with eggshells, GA3 showed an adverse effect on the development of shoot diameter. The growth of shoot length and shoot diameter with the addition of eggshell was different, perhaps due to the gibberellic acid affecting the shoot length but not the shoot diameter. Generally, the growth of shoot length and shoot diameter with eggshells was higher in comparison with those without eggshells. With that, we can prove that eggshell is a good additive to promote the growth of H. polyrhizus

Effect of Gibberellic Acid and Eggshell on Hylocereus polyrhizus

Dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) is a tropical fruit. Recently, it has gained interest from the public due to its potential beneficial effects on health. The acclimatization of micropropagated Hylocereus polyrhizus depends on the application of gibberellic acid (GA3) to increase plant growth. Eggshells are waste materials from industrial sectors, and they are composed of calcium source that is vital for the development of plant shoots and root. The objective of this research is to investigate the effect of different concentrations of GA3 and eggshell either added individually or in combination on the growth of shoot length and shoot diameter of H. polyrhizus. The result showed the shoot length of the H. polyrhizus increased by approximately 54.69%, from 0.64 ± 0.13 cm to 0.99 ± 0.26 cm, as the concentration of GA3 increased from 0 ppm to 10 ppm. Furthermore, this finding also reported that with eggshells, GA3 showed an adverse effect on the development of shoot diameter. The growth of shoot length and shoot diameter with the addition of eggshell was different, perhaps due to the gibberellic acid affecting the shoot length but not the shoot diameter. Generally, the growth of shoot length and shoot diameter with eggshells was higher in comparison with those without eggshells. With that, we can prove that eggshell is a good additive to promote the growth of H. polyrhizus

Oil palm waste: An abundant and promising feedstock for microwave pyrolysis conversion into good quality biochar with potential multi-applications

Oil palm waste (OPW), comprising mainly of empty fruit bunch, mesocarp fiber, frond, trunk, and palm kernel shell generated from palm oil industry, was collected, characterized, and then pyrolyzed to evaluate their potential to be converted into biochar with desirable properties for use in multi-applications. The OPW was detected to have considerable amounts of carbon (43–51 wt%) and fixed carbon (30–39 wt%), showing potential to be converted into carbon-rich biochar. Microwave pyrolysis of palm kernel shell as the selected OPW produced a biochar with zero sulphur content and high heating value (23–26 MJ/kg) that is nearly comparable to conventional coal, thus indicating its potential as an eco-friendly solid fuel. The biochar obtained was also showed low moisture (<3 wt%) and ash (3 wt%), and a highly porous structure with high BET surface area (210 m2/g), indicating the presence of many adsorption sites and thus showing desirable characteristics for potential use as pollutant adsorbent in wastewater treatment, or bio-fertilizer to absorb nutrient and promote plant growth. Our results demonstrate that OPW is a biowaste that shows exceptional promise to be transformed into high-grade biochar rather than simply disposed by landfilling or burned as low-grade fuel in boiler