Development of an Efficient In Vitro Propagation Method for Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen

TL;DR

The study developed a reliable in vitro propagation method for Acmella oleracea, enabling uniform plant production for research and industry.

Contribution

A novel, efficient in vitro propagation protocol for Acmella oleracea is established using optimized media and cytokinin concentrations.

Findings

13.2 µM meta-Topolin with 3% saccharose maximized shoot multiplication in A. oleracea.

13.2 µM Benzyladenine with 2% glucose also effectively promoted shoot growth.

Rooting and acclimatization were achieved within 21 days using the optimized protocol.

Abstract

Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen is an herbaceous plant cultivated globally as an annual ornamental species. While conventional propagation methods exist, the lack of a standardized in vitro protocol limits research and industrial applications that require genetically and morphologically uniform plant material. In this study, in vitro cultures of A. oleracea were established via seed germination. Well-developed in vitro shoots were dissected into individual nodal segments to serve as explants. Multiple media were evaluated for regeneration and growth, including full-, half, and quarter-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) media, as well as full- and half-strength McCown Woody Plant media. Two carbohydrate sources, saccharose and glucose, were tested at concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 3% (w/v) in the multiplication medium. Subsequently, the effects of different cytokinins were assessed at concentrations of 4.4 µM and 13.2 µM. The findings demonstrated that 13.2 µM meta-Topolin with 3% saccharose, or 13.2 µM Benzyladenine with 2% glucose was most beneficial for shoot multiplication of A. oleracea. The multiplied shoots were rooted in vitro within 13 days, then potted and acclimatized within 8 days. This protocol facilitates future industrial applications of A. oleracea, particularly in the cosmetics sector, where the use of standardized biomass is essential.

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