Long-Term Preservation by the Cryopreservation Method of Swietenia humilis Zucc

The species Swietenia humilis Zucc., better known as mahogany, is an important forest species for Mexico, forming part of the low deciduous forest. Its wood is considered precious and is therefore used in fine cabinetmaking. Due to its importance to the country, it is crucial to conserve this species. There are different types of conservation, ex situ and in situ, with ex situ conservation being the most widely used. For long-term conservation in ex situ conditions, cryopreservation is used through the vitrification technique. This technique involves preventing the formation of ice crystals in cells that are frozen at very low temperatures, at -196°C, the temperature of liquid nitrogen. At these temperatures, cell metabolism stops, allowing plant tissue to be preserved for long periods. To carry out this method, substances called cryoprotectants must be applied, substances that increase osmolarity in plant tissue by reducing the unbound water content. The objective of this work is to describe the cryopreservation protocol using the vitrification method of plant tissue of Swietenia humilis Zucc.