Explant Sterilization Technique

Standardization of Explant Surface Sterilization Technique for Micropropagation in
Andrographis paniculata Nees.

Haripriya.S and M.Kannan
Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,

Coimbatore – 3
ABSTRACT
Surface sterilization with 70 % ethanol washing for 10 seconds followed by

0.1 % mercuric chloride (HgCl2) sterilization for two minutes proved to be optimum for maximum
survival percentage in juvenile phase explants (shoot tip and nodal segment) whilst 70 % ethanol
washing for 25 seconds followed by 0.1 % HgCl2 sterilization for two minutes proved to be
optimum for vegetative phase explants (shoot tip and nodal segment) of Andrographis paniculata.
The tissue response of the explant varied with treatment duration depending on the type and
physiological stages of the same plant resulting in establishment of aseptic culture.
Key words: Ethanol , mercuric chloride , shoot tip, nodal segment, juvenile phase, vegetative
phase.
INTRODUCTION
Andrographis paniculata Nees. (Acanthaceae), is an erect annual herb extremely bitter in

taste in each and every part of the plant body. The plant is known in
north-eastern India as ‘Maha-tita’, literally ‘king of bitters’ and it is also acknowledged as ‘Bhui-
neem’, since the plant, though much smaller in size, shows similar appearance and has bitter taste
as that of Neem (Azadirachta indica). Since time immemorial, Andrographis was used as a wonder
drug in traditional Siddha and Ayurvedic systems of medicine as well as in tribal medicine in India
and in some other countries for multiple clinical applications. A study was carried out to
standardize the protocol for micropropagation in Andrographis paniculata. The most decisive step
in explant preparation while standardizing micropropagation techniques is that of keeping the
explant alive overcoming the problems of conamination. The explant or the piece of the plant
tissue to be cultured is often the major source of contamination. The contaminant may be on the
surface of the explant, between the cells or within the plant cells. In order to surmount such
tribulations detrimental to the culture, the explants ought to be surface-sterilized before inoculation
in sterile growth medium. This paper details the research undertaken to standardize expalnt surface
sterilization techniques for micropropagation in Andrographis paniculata Nees.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The experiment was conducted at the Plant Tissue culture laboratory, HC & RI, TNAU,
Coimbatore. The stock plant, Andrographis was maintained in pot culture at Botanic Gardens,
TNAU, Coimbatore for supply of explants i.e., shoot tip (1.5 - 2 cm) and nodal segment (2 -2.5 cm)
throughout the experiment period. The explants were collected at two physiological stages of interest
viz., juvenile phase (30-45 days old seedlings) and vegetative phase (60-90 days old plants) for
micropropagation. Initially the freshly collected explants were washed thrice under running tap
water. The explants were then prewashed with Tween 20 emulsifier (2-3 drops in 100 ml sterile
distilled water) for one minute followed by rinsing three times in sterile distilled water. Prior to
surface sterilization, antibrowning treatment was given to control phenol exudation from the cut
end of the tissues. Before disinfection, the explants were washed with 70 % ethanol (v/v) for 10-25
seconds and surface sterilized with 0.1 % ( w/v) mercuric chloride (HgCl2 ) for 2-6 minutes. For
better contact of the sterilant (0.1 % HgCl2 ) with the explants, they were stirred for few minutes
while disinfesting. The surface sterilized explants were finally rinsed in sterile distilled water
under laminar airflow chamber to remove all traces of sterilizing agent (1) and placed on a
sterilized petridish covered with sterilized filter paper to remove excess moisture present on the
surface of the explant. Data on contamination, mortality and survival percentage were recorded.
The contamination percentage was calculated using the following formula,
Contamination (% ) = Number of cultures contaminated X 100
Total number of cultures inoculated
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Surfaces of plant carry a wide range of microbial contaminants. To avoid this source of
infection, the explant tissues must be thoroughly surface sterilized before inoculating it on the
nutrient medium. Explants treated with Tween 20, a wetting agent improved the disinfestation by
acting as a surfactant thereby removing the surface contaminants like soil and dust. While
trimming the explants, phenols ooze out from the cut tissues, resulting in explant browning. In
order to control the phenol exudation, the explants were given antibrowning treatment. 70 %
ethanol washing was given prior to disinfection, apart from a surface sterilant by itself, it enhances
the contact of the disinfectant (0.1 % HgCl2 ) efficiently (4). After rinsing in ethanol, the explants
were left exposed until the alcohol evaporates (3). Generally, to disinfect the plant tissues various
sterilizing agents have been used. Mercuric chloride was found to be a very effective sterilizing
agent at 0.1 % concentration in Andrographis. The chlorine gas released from HgCl2 was very
penetrating that it destroyed the microorganisms present in most tissues of the explant (2). It is also
important to be cautious that a surface sterilant is also toxic to the explant tissues. Therefore
concentration of the sterilizing agent and duration of the treatment should be optimum to minimize
tissue mortality of the explants due to over sterilization.
Table 2. Standardization of surface sterilization for vegetative phase explants in

Andrographis paniculata Nees.
Duration of Shoot tip Nodal segment

Treatment exposure
70 % 0.1% % % % % % %
Alcohol HgCl2 CON SUR MOR CON SUR MOR
(sec) (mins)
T1 10 1 60.00 20.00 20.00 40.00 10.00 45.00
T2 10 2 40.00 30.00 30.00 40.00 20.00 40.00
T3 10 3 30.00 40.00 30.00 30.00 25.00 45.00
T4 10 4 20.00 40.00 40.00 20.00 30.00 50.00
T5 10 5 25.00 30.00 45.00 15.00 15.00 70.00
T6 25 1 25.00 60.00 15.00 55.00 20.00 25.00
T7 25 2 5.00 85.00 10.00 10.00 80.00 10.00
T8 25 3 10.00 70.00 20.00 15.00 25.00 20.00
T9 25 4 10.00 60.00 30.00 20.00 80.00 15.00
T10 25 5 10.00 50.00 40.00 30.00 70.00 10.00
% CON - % Contamination, % SUR - % Survival, % MOR - % Mortality (Browning or blackening
of explants).
Statistically not analysed.

Incase of Andrographis paniculata, surface sterilization with 70 % ethanol washing for 10
seconds followed by 0.1 % HgCl2 sterilization for two minutes proved to be optimum for
maximum survival percentage in juvenile phase explants (Table.1) whilst 70 % ethanol washing
for 25 seconds followed by 0.1 % HgCl2 sterilization for two minutes proved to be optimum for
vegetative phase explants (Table.2). The treatment duration varied with the physiological stage of
the explant. The morphogentic growth pattern of the cell changes according to the physiological
age of the plant material, resulting in direct correlation between the sensitivity of the tissues to the
sterilizing agent and the ontogenic age of the explants. Juvenile phase explants consisted mostly of
newly formed delicate tissues than the matured tissues of the vegetative phase explants. Thus
juvenile phase explants require lesser time to surface disinfect than vegetative phase explants
resulting in establishment of aseptic cultures.
REFERENCES
1. George, E.F. and Sherrington, P.D. 1984. Plant Propagation by Tissue Culture. Exogenetics
Limited, England.
2. Hamill, S.D., Sharrock, S.L and Smith, M.K. 1993. Comparison of decontamination methods
used in initiation of banana tissue cultures from field collected suckers. Plant cell tissue organ cult.
33: 343 –346.
3. Kao, K.N.. and Michayluk,M.R. 1980. Plant regenation from mesophyll protoplast of
alfalfa.Z.Pflanzen physiol., 96 : 135 – 141.
4. Roberta H.Smith . 2005. Plant Tissue Culture: Techniques and Experiments.2/e.Elsevier

publishers, New Delhi.

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What is the optimum surface sterilization technique for juvenile phase explants of Andrographis paniculata?

What is the optimum surface sterilization technique for vegetative phase explants of Andrographis paniculata?

Standardization of Explant Surface Sterilization Technique for Micropropagation in

Andrographis paniculata Nees.

Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,

Surface sterilization with 70 % ethanol washing for 10 seconds followed by

Andrographis paniculata Nees. (Acanthaceae), is an erect annual herb extremely bitter in

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Contamination (% ) = Number of cultures contaminated X 100

Total number of cultures inoculated

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 2. Standardization of surface sterilization for vegetative phase explants in

Duration of Shoot tip Nodal segment

Statistically not analysed.

4. Roberta H.Smith . 2005. Plant Tissue Culture: Techniques and Experiments.2/e.Elsevier

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