Journal of Plant Science and Biotechnology

ABSTRACT

The plant tissue culture technology paved the way for in vitro callus cultures. Callus is an irregular, unorganised and undifferentiated mass of actively dividing cells. In vitro callus cultures can be exploited for the production of important metabolites from various plant organs like roots, leaves, flowers similar to the plants from the natural habitat. This will help in minimizing the uprooting of plants, maintaining the biodiversity and help in the conservation of important plat species. The quality and quantity of callus dependents on many factors like nature of the explants, media, nutritional requirements, plant growth regulators, carbon source, culture condition etc. In the present investigation, we have selected Spilanthes acmella Murr. commonly known as toothache plant, an important medicinal plant belonging to family Asteraceae. It is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It has been reported to possess various biological activities like antipyretic, antidiuretic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, anticancer and antitoothache. The plant has been found to produce important secondary metabolites like spilanthol, scopoletin, myrecene, α amyrin, β amyrin etc. Hence, the present study has been under taken to standardize the various parameters required for callus induction of S.acmella and its growth. The protocol for callus induction has been standardized which can serve as an important tool for production of important secondary metabolites of this medicinal plant. Also the callus cultures can be used for in vitro plant production which can help the plant to combat the threat of over exploitation and extinction.

Keywords: Spilanthes acmella; Callus Induction; Plant Tissue Culture; Medicinal Plants; Leaf and Nodal Explants