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Mammalian Cell Encapsulation in Alginate Beads Using a Simple Stirred Vessel
Published on: June 29, 2017
Melatonin-loaded alginate beads improve cryopreservation of yam (Dioscorea alata and D. cayenensis)
E E Uchendu1, E R Joachim Keller2
1Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria ee.uchendu@ui.edu.ng.
Background:
The cryopreservation of yam is constrained with many challenges.
Objective:
This study tested the effects of melatonin on shoot tips of D. alata and D. cayenensis accessions exposed to water and liquid nitrogen (LN) stresses.
Materials And Methods:
Sucrose pretreatment (0.3 M) was applied for 48 h before cryopreservation. Shoot tips were encapsulated in beads loaded with 0.75 M sucrose, with and without melatonin and desiccated over sterile dry silica gel for 0 - 9 h.
Results:
The beads moisture content declined from 100% to ~ 13% after 9 h. The 3 h desiccation period without melatonin produced a significantly higher regeneration compared to 6 h and 9 h. Shoot tips with melatonin had significantly higher regeneration after 3 - 6 h desiccation compared to 9 h and the regeneration of all accessions after 6 h was >80%. Regeneration following 6 h desiccation and LN was significantly greater for melatonin-treated shoot tips compared to non-treated ones.
Conclusion:
The results indicate that melatonin significantly increased regeneration from 15% to 35%.
