Rapid in vitro multiplication and biological potentialities of Sericostoma pauciflorum stocks ex Wight

In the present study, an efficient in vitro plant regeneration protocol for Sericostoma pauciflorum stocks ex Wight, which is known for hypoglycemic efficacy, was achieved. Callus cultures from nodal explants were raised on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium with Indole acetic acid (IAA, 0.5 to 2 mg/l) and 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D, 0.5 to 2 mg/l). Shoot regeneration occurred from callus cultures inoculated on a medium supplemented with IAA (0.5 to 7 mg/l) and for root induction different concentrations of IAA (0.5 to 2.0 mg/l) and indole butyric acid (IBA, 0.5 to 2.0 mg/l) were used. Out of the various concentrations used, 2, 4-D (1.5 mg/l) proved to be better with 90% response for callus formation. Similarly, 3 mg/l IAA showed highest number of shoots (18.6±0.40). These shoots on MS medium supplemented with IAA (1.5 mg/l) gave maximum number of roots (5.40±1.98). For acclimatization, pure sand, garden soil and soil+compost (1:1) were used individually. The sand proved better by giving the survival rate 80%. The hardened plantlets were successfully transferred to the green house conditions and subsequently to the open field conditions. Different bioefficacies viz. antimicrobial using agar well diffusion method and antioxidant using 2,2 -diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Ferric ion reducing antioxidant potentials (FRAP) methods along with total phenolic content were studied and compared with those of in vivo. Key words: Sericostoma pauciflorum, micropropagation, antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity, DPPH, FRAP.