Surface sterilization of Ocimum seeds and tissues with biosynthesized nanosilver and its effects on callus induction

Abstract

Plant tissue culture is a basic and fundamental component of plant biotechnology. Nowadays, nanomaterials especially nanosilver (NS) are being used as an antimicrobial agents for surface sterilization of explants in tissue culture. In this study, biosynthesized nanosilver (BNS) was used for the surface sterilization of Ocimum seeds and tissues and its effects on callus induction were evaluated. The seeds and tissues were exposed to different concentrations of BNS (10, 50 and 100 mg/l) as well as 5% Clorox for five exposure times (5, 10, 20, 30 and 60 min) and effects on germination, callus induction and surface sterilization were determined. The BNS was found very effective on surface sterilization as 100% decontamination was achieved with no adverse effect on explant viability and callus formation but rather had stimulating effect on formation of callus. The study concluded that BNS can be used as an antimicrobial agent in surface disinfection of explants therefore extending the frontiers of the potential application of biosynthesized nanosilver in tissue culture.