European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

IN VITRO REGENERATION OF ALOE VERA – A MEDICINALLY IMPORTANT PLANT

Varsha Mondal* and Archana Vaishnava

ABSTRACT

Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Mill.) is a valuable medicinal plant. The present study have designated to standardize a sterilization technique and regenerate the plant. Maximum green cultures without contamination were found when treated with 0.1% HgCl2 for 2 minutes. An economical small propagation technique has been developed by treating the shoot explants cultured on MS medium with different phytohormonal supplements of BAP, IBA, and Kinetin (Kn) for shoot proliferation and maturation. Shoot cultures were initiated on MS medium containing BAP 0.2 mg/L, with IBA 0.2 mg/L. Maximum shoot proliferation was achieved on medium containing BAP 1.0 mg/L with IBA 0.5 mg/L within 28 days of culture. Maximum of 5-multiplication rate of shoots was achieved with the utilization of growth regulators along with the basal MS medium. After 3 weeks, the microshoots were transferred into rooting medium for root regeneration. Hundred percent rooting of microshoots was obtained on phytohormone – free MS medium. The regenerated plants were morphologically similar to control plants. This protocol could be used for the massive in vitro production of the plantlets of the A. vera. In its natural state Aloe propagates vegetatively, but propagation rate is too slow and as a result, it cannot meet demand of high quality planting material for commercial purposes. Therefore micropropagation protocol is standardized for multiplication of plants.

Keywords: Aloe barbadensis Mill., micropropagation, phytohormone, microshoots, medicinal plants, shoot tip culture.