Determination of growth and antioxidant activity assay of in vitro gamma-irradiated Tacca leontopetaloides shoots

Abstract

Tacca leontopetaloides (L.) is a tuberous plant with high starch content similar to those found in potatoes. However, despite its potential as a functional crop, the plant is still underutilized due to limited cultivation by farmers. Besides, a class of specific metabolites found in this plant has the potential as an anticancer drug. In this study, we sought genetic improvement of T. leontopetaloides using Gamma-ray irradiation. The aim of the research was to observe growth, antioxidant activities, and phytochemical properties after Gamma-ray irradiation treatment at 20 Gy dose. We grew the irradiated culture on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L BAP or 0.5 mg/L Kinetin. We recorded the growth every week for eight weeks. After eight weeks of culture, the total fresh biomass, antioxidant activities, and phytochemical properties were calculated. The results showed that a modest growth reduction was found on irradiated plant culture compared with the control culture. Antioxidant IC50 on irradiated culture was lower than the control, which was indicating higher antioxidant activities on irradiated culture. However, no change of phytochemical properties was observed on both irradiated and control culture measured qualitatively. This study reveals a new candidate of T. leontopetaloides mutant induced by gamma-ray irradiation with higher antioxidant activities than its wild type.