Abstract

The antioxidant potential (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPHº)-scavenging activity) of in vitro regenerated and induced mutant sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) was investigated. Efficient callus induction and shoot regeneration were induced in bud explants when incubated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different plant growth regulators (PGRs). Best callogenesis was observed on MS-medium supplemented with 3 mg L^-1 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4 D) and on ½ MS medium with 2 mg L^-1  2,4 D after 30-days of culture. Almost 85% shoot organogenesis was observed on MS-medium supplemented with 2 mg L^-1 6-benzyladenine (BA) and 0.5 mg L^-1 gibberellic acid (GA₃) within 30 days. Optimum percentage rooting (89%), were obtained for 2 mg L^-1 of BA alone. Mother plant setts were irradiated with ⁶⁰Co mutagen source. Assay of antioxidant activity of in vitro andin vivo grown tissues was evaluated as gross parameter of medicinal efficacy. Significantly higher antioxidant activity (60%) in in vitro regenerated sugarcane was observed as compared to induced mutant (57%) and mother plant (53%).

Key words: Saccharum officinarum, in vitro regeneration, induced mutation, antioxidant.