A new anti-counterfeiting method: fluorescent labeling by safranine T in tobacco seed

Abstract

Counterfeit seeds cause a large loss in seed industry and crop production. Present study was undertaken to find a new anti-counterfeiting technology by labeling seeds with a fluorescent compound, safranine T (ST). Response surface analysis (RSA) experiment with two factors (ST concentration and seed soaking time) of 14 combinations was performed to investigate the ST effects on seed vigor and fluorescence showing in seedlings of two tobacco varieties, MS Yunyan 85 and Honghua Dajinyuan. After soaking in ST solutions, tobacco seeds were germinated for 16 days, then the germination index (GI), vigor index (VI), length of roots and shoots were determined. The optimum combinations of ST concentration and soaking time on GI, VI and length of shoots and roots were 0.57–0.69 mg/ml and 6.77–9.34 h for MS Yunyan 85 and 0.51–0.80 mg/ml and 5.81–7.39 h for Honghua Dajinyuan, respectively. Meanwhile, tobacco seedlings, treated with ST solutions from 0.3 to 1.5 mg/ml showed obviously fluorescence under illumination of green light. It suggests that soaking tobacco seeds in safranine T solution of suitable concentration can be used as a labeling technique for anti-counterfeiting in tobacco seeds.