Browsing by Author "Murch, S. J"

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Open Access
Genetic diversity in seed populations of Echinacea purpurea controls the capacity for regeneration, route of morphogenesis and phytochemical composition
(Springer-Verlag, 2006-06) Murch, S. J; Peiris, S; Shi, W. L; Zobayed, S. M. A; Saxena, P. K
The production of new varieties and higher quality products from Echinacea spp. requires a greater understanding of the regulation of plant growth and the production of specific phytometabolites. The current studies were designed to generate elite varieties of Echinacea purpurea based on regeneration efficiency and chemical profile. Clonal propagation of seedling-derived regenerants and screening for antioxidant potential and concentrations of caftaric acid, chlorogenic acid, cichoric acid, cynarin, and echinacoside identified 58 unique germplasm lines. Chemical profiles varied significantly among germplasm lines but were consistent within clones of each line. In temporary immersion bioreactors, exogenous application of the auxin indolebutyric acid significantly increased the cichoric acid and caftaric acid concentration in the root tissues. Together, these demonstrate the potential for selective breeding of elite, highly regenerative, chemically superior, clonally propagated varieties from the naturally occurring genetic variability in the seed populations of E. purpurea.
Embargo
In vitro conservation and propagation of medicinal plants
(Taylor & Francis Group, 2004-06-01) Murch, S. J; Peiris, S; Liu, C. Z; Saxena, P. K
In recent years the quest for longevity and an improved quality of life has ventured into the realm of natural therapeutics, resulting in a wider acceptance of plant-based medicine in the Western world. This increased interest in natural remedies has also brought about the great challenge of maintaining a balance between the demand of expanding markets for plant-based medicines and the need to protect medicinal biodiversity. The development of effective cultivation technologies that define plant yield in terms of both biomass and medicinally active phytochemicals is therefore extremely important for long-term conservation of medicinal plants and their sustainable use. In vitro culture offers many advantages for the creation of germplasm banks of living, growing medicinal plant tissues, mass-propagation, and long-term storage in a suspended physiological state. This review describes some of the challenges and approaches of this rapidly growing discipline. The Plant Cell Technology Laboratory at the University of Guelph maintains a living collection of medicinal and endangered species collected over the last 4 years as part of an international interdisciplinary research collaboration.