A rapid protocol for in vitro micropropagation of Lepidium sativum linn. and enhancement in the yield of lepidine

Abstract

Lepidium sativum L., commonly known as ‘garden cress’ possesses variable proportions of benzylcyanide and benzylisothiocynate which contribute towards its activity against Bacillus subtilis and Micrococcus pyogenes. The plant is also used as an antifertility and antiovulatory drug. Various juvenile (cotyledonary leaves, hypocotyl, radicle) as well as mature explants (leaf, shoot apex, nodal segments) callused on Murashige and Skoog's medium (MS) supplemented with α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA)+N6-benzyladenine (BA)+casein hydrolyzate (CH). Regeneration from hypocotyl callus and nodal segments occurred after NAA/BA was replaced with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)/kinetin (Kn). Lepidine was monitored at regular intervals. Significant amounts of lepidine was detected in in vitro-regenerated plants obtained from juvenile and mature explants. The yield, however, was variable, depending upon the source and type of explant used. High lepidine was detected in 8-wk-old hypocotyl callus. Amongst regenerants, maximum lepidine was obtained from the plantlets at the vegetative stage.