Cryopreservation of Panax ginseng cells

Area of Science:

• Plant Biotechnology
• Cryobiology
• Cellular Biology

Background:

• Panax ginseng cell culture is vital for producing bioactive compounds.
• Cryopreservation offers a method for long-term storage of plant cells.
• Optimizing cryopreservation protocols is crucial for maintaining cell viability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of cryoprotectants (CP) and cell cycle stage on Panax ginseng cell viability during cryopreservation.
• To identify optimal CP combinations and cell growth phases for successful cryopreservation.

Main Methods:

• Screening of various cryoprotectant solutions including glycerol, dimethylsulphoxide, ethylene glycol, and sucrose.
• Evaluating cell viability after thawing based on different CP concentrations and cell cycle stages.
• Assessing the proliferation rate and subculture intervals of Panax ginseng cells.

Main Results:

• A cryoprotectant solution of 10% glycerol and 4% sucrose demonstrated the least cytotoxicity and highest post-thaw viability.
• Panax ginseng cell viability followed a 'U'-shaped pattern throughout the growth cycle, with highest viability (86.5%) in the lag phase and lowest (15.4%) in the mid-exponential phase.
• Cells in the late exponential phase showed 61.7% viability, while freshly transferred callus exhibited less distinct viability fluctuations.

Conclusions:

• The combination of 10% glycerol and 4% sucrose is effective for cryopreserving Panax ginseng cells.
• Cell cycle stage critically influences cryopreservation outcomes, with lag-phase cells being most resilient.
• Understanding these factors is essential for developing efficient cryopreservation strategies for Panax ginseng.