Evaluation of Optimal Bentong Ginger (Zingiber Officinale var Bentong) Bud Tissue for Callus Induction and Growth Kinetics in Suspension Culture

Lee, Yong Soon (2025) Evaluation of Optimal Bentong Ginger (Zingiber Officinale var Bentong) Bud Tissue for Callus Induction and Growth Kinetics in Suspension Culture. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

Zingiber officinale var. Bentong, a ginger variety renowned for its exceptional flavour and medicinal properties, is highly valuable to Malaysia's economy, positioning it as an ideal subject for plant tissue culture research. Utilising tissue culture methods can boost ginger production in a shorter time frame, as mature ginger plants typically require at least eight months to be harvested. Callus, an undifferentiated cell mass, serves as a valuable starting material for suspension cultures, where the cells are grown in a liquid medium. This technique enables the study of the callus growth curve, monitoring key parameters such as cell division, biomass accumulation, and growth rate. A better understanding of these dynamics is essential for optimising large-scale cell culture, metabolite production, and applications in biotechnology and plant breeding. The objective of this study is to identify the best part of the ginger bud for callus induction and to determine the growth curve of the callus, evaluating the exponential and stationary phase in suspension culture. In the experiment, ginger buds were selected as the explants and subjected to surface sterilisation before in vitro cultivation. After in vitro cultivation, the buds were dissected into four parts: pseudostem, external layer, root, and core. Explants were cultured on MS medium with 2,4-D to induce callus formation. Callus were grinded and transferred to a liquid medium for suspension culture, with regular sampling and weighing to monitor cell growth over time. The results revealed that the root explants had the lowest callus formation, whereas the pseudostem, external layer, and core had comparable rates of callus formation with significant differences. The growth curve indicated that day 14 marked the mid-log phase of cell growth, with the stationary phase beginning after day 21. The quality of explants and callus significantly impacted both induction and growth rates, highlighting the importance of explant selection in tissue culture studies. In conclusion, all dissected parts of the ginger explants, except for the root, successfully induce callus formation. The growth curve analysis indicated optimal cell proliferation around day 14, and the stationary phase starting after day 21. Understanding these growth dynamics is crucial for optimising in vitro culture systems for ginger propagation and improvement. Future studies should explore optimal hormonal combinations and concentrations for callus induction, investigate the use of colchicine for chromosome doubling in suspension cultures, and compare the antioxidant properties of cells in the log and stationary phases to enhance ginger’s genetic traits.