Journal of
Medicinal Plants Research

  • Abbreviation: J. Med. Plants Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0875
  • DOI: 10.5897/JMPR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 3840

Full Length Research Paper

Development of in vitro protocol for large-scale clonal propagation of Capparis erythrocarpos for the herbal medicine industry and conservation

Wilfred Elegba
  • Wilfred Elegba
  • Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P. O. Box LG 80, Legon, Ghana.
  • Google Scholar
Elaine Azu
  • Elaine Azu
  • Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P. O. Box LG 80, Legon, Ghana.
  • Google Scholar
James O. Frimpong
  • James O. Frimpong
  • Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P. O. Box LG 80, Legon, Ghana.
  • Google Scholar
Tonny Asafo-Adjei
  • Tonny Asafo-Adjei
  • Centre for Plant Medicine Research, P. O. Box 73, Mampong- Akuapem, Ghana.
  • Google Scholar
Peter Atta-Adjei Jnr
  • Peter Atta-Adjei Jnr
  • Centre for Plant Medicine Research, P. O. Box 73, Mampong- Akuapem, Ghana.
  • Google Scholar
Yaw Appau
  • Yaw Appau
  • Centre for Plant Medicine Research, P. O. Box 73, Mampong- Akuapem, Ghana.
  • Google Scholar
Seyiram Kumordzie
  • Seyiram Kumordzie
  • Centre for Plant Medicine Research, P. O. Box 73, Mampong- Akuapem, Ghana.
  • Google Scholar
Kwame Asare
  • Kwame Asare
  • Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P. O. Box LG 80, Legon, Ghana.
  • Google Scholar
Kenneth E. Danso
  • Kenneth E. Danso
  • School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, P. O. Box AE1, Atomic, Accra, Ghana.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 08 July 2024
  •  Accepted: 30 October 2024
  •  Published: 30 November 2024

Abstract

The increased use of Capparis erythrocarpos for treating rheumatoid arthritis and as an appetite stimulant has necessitated the establishment of efficient in vitro propagation protocols for large-scale production of seedlings to ensure its sustainable use in the herbal medicine industry and conservation of the species. In this study, mechanical scarification and priming of seeds with sulfuric and GA3 induced only swelling of seeds on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.5 – 2.0 mg/l BAP or kinetin but no shoot development. Shoot tip and nodal cutting explants cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2 g/l of activated charcoal and 0.1 mg/l each of GA3, NAA and BAP induced callus development. Subsequent transfer to a fresh medium resulted in multiple shoot formation. The results suggest that it is possible to exploit in vitro propagation techniques to produce planting materials of C. erythrocarpos for sustainable use in the herbal medicine industry as well as conservation of the species.

Key words: Capparis erythrocarpos, shoot tips, nodal segments, seeds, callus, in vitro propagation, genetic erosion