Abstract

Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant. et Fernand. is an endangered herb, the tuberous roots of which are source of medicinally important steroidal saponins. In the present study, propagation of C. borivilianum using a bench top stirred bioreactor with liquid medium via multiple shoot culture has been reported. One week old shoots along with shoot base part (1.5 cm) obtained from shoots regenerated in vitro in liquid medium shake flasks containing 22.2 µM 6-benzylaminopurine, were used as explants. An inoculum density of 120 explants/2.5 L liquid Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 22.2 µM 6-benzylaminopurine was found optimal for shoot growth. After three weeks of culture, 4.4-fold increase in biomass (fresh weight) was obtained. Shoots regenerated in bioreactor were rooted ex vitro on three-fourth strength liquid MS medium supplemented with 9.8 µM indole-3-butyric acid. Plantlets with 100% rooting of microshoots were hardened and established in the glasshouse with 85% survival rate. Due to rapid and efficient propagation in bioreactor with high survival rate, this protocol may be employed for conservation and large-scale multiplication of C. borivilianum.

Key words:  Bioreactor, Chlorophytum borivilianum, hyperhydricity, saponins, shoot culture.