Effects of encapsulation matrix on physical properties and germination viability of calcium-alginate encapsulated plbs of Grammatophyllum scriptum

Abstract

Abstract. Pitoyo A, Anggarwulan E, Ariza I. 2017. Effects of encapsulation matrix on physical properties and germination viability of calcium-alginate encapsulated plbs of Grammatophyllum scriptum. Cell Biol Dev 1: 36-40. Grammatophyllum is a tropical epiphytic orchid commonly found in the moist areas of South-East Asia. Like most orchid species, the genus comprises species with a very small, micro-size seed mass and lack endosperm. These plants commonly need an in vitro culture for mass propagation and seed germination. Their undeveloped embryos developed globular mass cells, a protocorm after germination. Occasionally, a structure similar to protocorm arises from tissue other than an embryo; thereby, the term protocorm-like body (plb) was introduced. Here, we develop synthetic seed hydrogel beads encapsulated in G. scriptum plbs, possibly germinating the seed and growing their embedded tissue. The objective of the research was to study the effects of the proportion of G scriptum Bl encapsulation matrix. Synthetic seed made by complexing sodium alginate with CaCl₂ on physical properties and germination of protocorm-like bodies (plbs) embedded inside the hydrogel. The experiment was designed by a single factor-completely randomized design with the treatments of several combinations of Na-alginate/CaCl₂ratios.The result showed that CaCl₂ in all concentrations except 25 mM formed spherical hydrogel beads in all levels of Na-alginate. Alginate in concentrations of 2% and 3% gave the optimum result represented by a maximum germination index of 100%. The formation of the new plbs varied among different explants, even in a single explant. The germination time of each synthetic seed varied from 2 weeks to eight weeks after encapsulation. In conclusion, physical properties have no significant barrier for developing plbs to emergencies through penetration encapsulation matrix.