In Vitro Micropropagation of Alpinia Zerumbet Variegate, An: Important Medicinal Plant, Through Rhizome Bud Explants

Research in Biotechnology, 2(1): 07-10, 2011 ISSN: 2229-791X
www.researchinbiotechnology.com
Regular Article
In vitro micropropagation of Alpinia zerumbet Variegate, an
important medicinal plant, through rhizome bud explants
Rakkimuthu, R., Jinu Jacob and K. M. Aravinthan*
Dr. Mahalingam Center for Research and Development
N.G.M College, Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, India
An ideal Micropropagation method of Alpinia zerumbet has been developed using

rhizome bud explants. Basal MS medium supplemented with 3% sucrose (w/v) different
concentrations of BAP in combination with 0.5 mg / L of kinetin. Highest percentage (95%) of
explants for shoot induction and multiple shoot (7.9 per explants) production were observed
in the combination of 1.5 mg / L of BAP, 0.5 mg / L of kinetin. In this case, all the inoculated
explants induced multiple shoots within 6-7 weeks of inoculation. Rooting was induced in a
medium having half strength MS supplemented with 0.5mg / L of IBA. Most of the generated
shoots were successfully transferred to soil under field conditions.
Keywords: Alpinia zerumbet, rhizome bud, shoot multiplication.
Alpinia zerumbet commonly known as the treatment of intestinal and cardiovascular

shell ginger is a 4-8 foot tall herbaceous plant diseases including arterial hypertension (Leal-
of zigiberaceae family. It is a rhizomatous, Cardoso et al., 2006). It is also used as diuretic,
evergreen clump forming perennial, antihypertensive and antiulcerogenic (de
propagated vegetatively through rhizome. Moura et al., 2005). Its rhizome may be
This plant is a native of eastern Asia which utilized in food stuffs as a cheap source of
had both commercial and medicinal value. natural antioxidant (Abdelnaser et al., 2006).
This plant is used in landscape for its
attractive foliage and shell like flowers. The Alpinia zerumbet is vegetatively
leaves of this plant are green and yellow propagated through rhizome, because the
variegated and are quite striking. Leaves and seeds are rarely formed. In vitro culture can
flowers are attractive in flower arrangement. produce multiple shoots from single rhizome
The plant produces fleshly rhizomes much (Chinnasamy Selvakkumar et al., 2007 and
like ginger that have a ginger like aroma. This Borthakur et al., 1998). The present study is to
beautiful tropical plant is becoming a popular establish a protocol for the invitro
tropical house plant as well as a landscape micropropagation of Alpinia zerumbet
plant in warmer climates. It can be used for variegate.
*Corresponding author: kmaravinthan@rediffmail.com

Rakkimuthu et al. / Research in Biotechnology, 2(1):07-10, 2011
Materials and Methods Results and Discussion
The rhizomes were collected from The multiple shoots were cultured
NGM college campus. The unnecessary parts from rhizome bud explants of Alpinia
like roots and other residual were removed zerumbet on MS solid medium supplement
from the rhizome bud. Then the explants with different concentration of BAP in
were thoroughly wiped with 70% alcohol to combination of 0.5 mg / L of kinetin. All these
remove loose contaminants and reduce the treatment best response was observed in
size by removing the outer layer. Then the 1.5mg/L of BAP and 0.5mg / L of kinetin
explants were taken in conical flask (Table 1). In this combination almost 95% of
containing 0.25 % of sodium hypochlorite and the inoculated explants showed regeneration
washed further by vigorous shaking for about with in 6-7 weeks of inoculation and the
12 minutes. This was followed by washing 5 average number of shoots per explants was
times with sterile distilled water. Finally 7.9 (Figure 1). The second highest response
inside the laminar air flow cabinet, surface was observed in MS with 2mg / L of BAP and
sterilization was done by putting the explants 0.5 mg /L of Kinetin. In this supplement 75%
in 70 % alcohol for 30 seconds. After the of the inoculated explants showed
explants were treated with 0.12 % mercuric regeneration with in 7-8 weeks of inoculation
chloride for 12 minutes followed by sterile and in average, about 6.25 shoot buds were
distilled water wash. Then the explants were regenerated from each explants.
finally dissected. The material is again treated Multiplication can be continued by
with 0.1 % mercuric chloride for 2 minutes. transferring each divided shoot explants to
Immediately wash the explants with sterile the same medium. Satisfactory root
distilled water to remove the traces of development was observed in half strength
mercuric chloride. MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg /L of
indole-3-butyric acid.
After surface sterilization just trim the
base of the rhizome and were inoculated on Complete plants thus obtained were
MS medium (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) transferred to soil: vermiculate (1:1) in paper
supplemented with 3% sucrose and different cups and covered with polythene covers to
concentration of BAP in combination with 0.5 maintain humidity. After 3-4 weeks the plants
mg / L of kinetin. The pH of the media was are transferred to the field. Almost 96% of the
adjusted to 5.8 prior to the gelling with 0.8% regenerated plants survived and showed a
agar, dispensed into the culture tubes and plant survived and showed a vigorous
sterilized by autoclaving (121˚C for 15 growth of rhizome and roots without any
minutes). The culture was maintained in the morphological variations.
culture room under a regime of 16 hours
photoperiod at 25˚C.
8
Table 1: Effect of different concentration of multiplication was reported (Bhagyalakshmi

BAP and kinetin in MS on Shoot and Sing 1988, Balachandran et al., 1990 and
multiplication from Rhizome bud explants Inden et al., 1988). In consistence with these
of Alpinia zerumbet
results, our present study also revealed the
role of BAP in combination with little amount
Conc. Conc. No of % of of kinetin in shoot multiplication of Alpinia
of BAP of shoots/ regeneration zerumbet. The regenerated shoots with
(mg/L) Kinetin explants spontaneously formed roots were successfully
(mg/L)
transferred to soil.
0.5 0.5 3.570 55
References
1.0 0.5 4.320 70 Abdelnaser A, Elzaawely, Tran D. Xuan, and
Shinkichi Tawata, 2006. Essential oils,
1.5 0.5 7.900 95
kava pyrones and phenolic compounds
2.0 0.5 6.250 75 from leaves and rhizomes of Alpinia
zerumbet and their antioxidant activity.
2.5 0.5 5.550 65
Science Direct, 2:486-494.
Balachandran, S.M., S.R. Bhat and K.P.S.

Chandel, 1990. In vitro clonal
multiplication of turmeric (Curcuma
spp.) and ginger (Z. officinale Rosc.).
Plant Cell Rep., 8: 521-529.
Bhagyalakshmi, N. and N.S. Sing, 1988.

Meristem culture and micropropagation
of variety of ginger (Zingiber Officinale
Rosc.) with a high yield of Oleoresin. J.
Hortic. Sci., 63: 321-327.
Borthakur, M., J. Hazarika and R.S.Sing, 1998.

Figure 1. Number of shoots per explant in
A protocol for micropropagation of
different contentraction of BAP and Kinetin
Alpinia galanga. Plant cell, Tissue and
The ability of BAP to induce Organ Culture, 55:231-233.
branching is well documented (George, 1993).
Chinnasamy Selvakkumar, Arun Bala-
In general, herbaceous plants are highly
krishnan and Baddireddi Subhadra
responsive to BAP treatment and most
Lakshmi, 2007. Rapid in vitro
cultured herbaceous species produces
robust, well-formed shoots suitable for micropropagation of Alpinia officinarum,
further shoot proliferation (Debergh and an important medicinal plant, through
Zimmerman, 1999). In ginger a related species rhizome bud explants. Asian J. Plant
of Alpinia zerumbet, role of BAP in shoot Science, 1682-3974.
9
de Moura, R Soares; Emiliano, AF; de

Inden, H., T. Asahira and A. Hirano, 1988.
Corvalho, LC.R. Marins; Souza, MA. V;
Micropropagation of ginger. Acta
Gueds, DC; Teno, T; Resende, AC, 2005.
Hortic., 230: 177-184.
Antihypertensive and endothelium-
dependent vasodilator effects of Alpinia Leal-Cardoso JH, Moreira MR, da Morais SM,
zerumbet, a medicinal plant. J. Lohlou MS, Coelho-de-Souza AN, 2006.
Cardiovascular Pharmacology, 46(3):288- Effects of essential oil of Alpinia
294. zerumbet on the compound action
potential of the rat sciatic nerve.
Debergh, P.C. and R.H. Zimmerman, 1999.
Phytomedicine 11(6):549-53.
Micropropagation Technology and
Application. Kluwer Academic Murashige, T. and F. Skoog. 1962. A revised
Publishers, Dordrecht, the Netherlands. medium for rapid growth and bioassays
with tobacco cultures. Physiol. Plant
George, E.F. 1993. Plant Propagation by
15:473-497.
Tissue Culture. Part 1. The Technology.
Exegetics. Ltd., Edington, Wilts, UK.
10

In Vitro Micropropagation of Alpinia Zerumbet Variegate, An: Important Medicinal Plant, Through Rhizome Bud Explants

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

In Vitro Micropropagation of Alpinia Zerumbet Variegate, An: Important Medicinal Plant, Through Rhizome Bud Explants

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

In Vitro Micropropagation of Alpinia Zerumbet Variegate, An: Important Medicinal Plant, Through Rhizome Bud Explants

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Research in Biotechnology, 2(1): 07-10, 2011 ISSN: 2229-791X

An ideal Micropropagation method of Alpinia zerumbet has been developed using

Keywords: Alpinia zerumbet, rhizome bud, shoot multiplication.

Alpinia zerumbet commonly known as the treatment of intestinal and cardiovascular

*Corresponding author: kmaravinthan@rediffmail.com

Materials and Methods Results and Discussion

Table 1: Effect of different concentration of multiplication was reported (Bhagyalakshmi

Balachandran, S.M., S.R. Bhat and K.P.S.

Bhagyalakshmi, N. and N.S. Sing, 1988.

Borthakur, M., J. Hazarika and R.S.Sing, 1998.

de Moura, R Soares; Emiliano, AF; de

You might also like