title: Early Studies on Protoplast Isolation ofLudisia discolor, A Wild Orchid.
abstract: The terrestrialLudisia discolor, also referred to as the jewel orchid is prized for the quality of its leaves.L. discoloris known as a medicinal herb and is touted for its heat- and pathogen-resisting qualities.L. discoloris valuable in the production of both flavonoids and anthocyanins, antioxidants that are exalted in the health industry. Plant cell cultures have emerged as alternative sources of anthocyanin production. Plant protoplast cultures are used frequently in transient gene expression studies and in the establishment of callus and cell suspension cultures. Benefits of plant protoplast system include similarity to cells found in plant tissues, reproduction under controlled conditions, and prevention of masking of stress responses to previous handling techniques. A study was conducted to assess the amenability of the stem and leaves ofL. discolorto protoplast isolation. The stem and leaf segments were weighed, sliced into thin layers, immersed in a digestion medium, washed and then cultured onto a recovery medium. Results indicated that the production of plant protoplasts fromL. discolormay be viewed as an alternative in the generation of cell cultures and ultimately in the production of anthocyanins from the cell cultures.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Ranjetta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Poobathy
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Rahmad
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zakaria
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Syed Mohd Edzham Syed
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hamzah
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Sreeramanan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Subramaniam
keywords: Anthocyanins; Cell Culture; Jewel Orchids; Ludisia discolor; Protoplast Isolation