Chitosan Nanoparticles: An Alternative for In Vitro Multiplication of Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) in Semi-Automated...

Chitosan nanoparticles (CsNPs) are biocompatible, biodegradable, and non-toxic natural polymers at low concentrations with diverse applications in in vitro plant tissue culture. This study aims to evaluate the effect of CsNPs during in vitro multiplication of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) using temporary immersion bioreactors. CsNPs were evaluated at concentrations of 0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg L^-1 in Murashige and Skoog liquid culture medium. After four weeks of culture, response percentage, the number of shoots per explant, shoot length, number of leaves per explant, dry matter, chlorophyll content, β-carotene content, lipid peroxidation, phenolic content, hydrogen peroxide content, and antioxidant capacity were evaluated. The results showed that the highest response percentages were obtained in the treatments with 0, 25, and 50 mg L^-1 CsNPs, whereas the lowest response percentages were obtained in the treatments with 100 and 200 mg L^-1 CsNPs. Concentrations of 25 and 50 mg L^-1 CsNPs promoted cell growth and differentiation, whereas 100 and 200 mg L^-1 CsNPs inhibited it. Chlorophyll content increased by 25 and 50 mg L-1 CsNPs, whereas β-carotene content increased by 100 and 200 mg L^-1 CsNPs. Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capacity increased with increasing CsNP concentrations. The phenolic content increased by 100 mg L^-1 CsNPs, whereas the hydrogen peroxide content decreased with increasing CsNP concentrations. In conclusion, CsNPs are an alternative for stimulating tissue growth and differentiation during the in vitro multiplication of sugarcane.