Effect of charcoal-impregnated calcium alginate spherules in mitigating polyphenolic interference in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) suspension cultures
Coconut tissue culture is notoriously difficult due to the excessive release of phenolic compounds, which undergo rapid oxidation, leading to medium browning and cell death. While activated charcoal (AC) is the standard additive used to adsorb these inhibitory toxins, its traditional use in powder form creates a significant challenge: it turns the liquid medium opaque, obscuring visibility and preventing the accurate quantification and monitoring of cell growth stages.
In this study, we, the researchers of Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (ICAR CPCRI), Kasaragod, Kerala, India present a novel solution by developing activated charcoal-impregnated calcium alginate spherules (ACICAS). By embedding AC powder within a stable three-dimensional gel matrix, we created beads that successfully adsorbed 68% to 80% of polyphenols in coconut suspension cultures. These spherules proved to be highly stable, maintaining their structural integrity through autoclaving and continuous mechanical agitation. Most importantly, the use of ACICAS maintained medium clarity, allowing for the clear visualization and precise quantification of viable cell clumps. This technology provides an effective alternative to traditional AC powder, offering a more controlled environment for the micropropagation of coconut and other recalcitrant plant species.
Neema Mohamed, Aparna Veluru, Sudha Raju, K. P. Chandran, Fathimath Zaeema, Sugatha Padmanabhan, and S. V. Ramesh. Effect of charcoal-impregnated calcium alginate spherules in mitigating polyphenolic interference in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) suspension cultures. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology-Plant 62, 574-587, 2026
CDB-mediated genetic transformation system for Cerasus humilis without tissue culture
Genetic transformation in woody plants has long been hindered by the time-consuming and labor-intensive nature of tissue culture methods. In this study, we developed a rapid, culture‑free transformation system for Cerasus humilis, a drought‑tolerant rosaceous shrub, using the cut‑dip‑budding (CDB) method. By harnessing the plant’s natural root‑suckering regeneration ability and optimizing key parameters such as bacterial density, vacuum infiltration time, and acetosyringone concentration, we achieved transformation efficiencies of up to 20.48% in root explants, with intact transgenic plants obtained within just 1 to 2 months. Successful gene integration and expression were confirmed through multiple molecular analyses. This work provides a simple, accelerated tool for molecular breeding of rosaceous crops, particularly those adapted to arid environments, and offers a promising alternative to conventional tissue‑culture‑based transformation.
Xin Liu, Shaoyu Lang, Qinghua Shan, Buming Dong, Na Liu, Wenzhi Zhou, and Xing Shun Song. CDB-mediated genetic transformation system for Cerasus humilis without tissue culture. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology-Plant 62, 492-502, 2026.
