Detection and quantification of natural pigments extracted from callus of Echinocereus cinerascens
ISSN: 0369-9420
Article publication date: 18 October 2018
Issue publication date: 7 November 2018
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study the effect of different organic solvents on the extraction of pigments present in callus cultures of E. cinerascens.
Design/methodology/approach
Attempts have been made to extract pigments from callus cultures through tissue culture system as an alternative replacement for conventional plant cultivation as tissue culture provides unlimited supplies of plant samples. Callus of E. cinerascens was induced from stem explant cultured in Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with combination of 0.5 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine and 0.5 mg/L α-naphthaleneacetic acid maintained under photoperiod of 16 h light and 8 h dark. Fresh samples of the callus were harvested and dissolved in various types and concentrations of solvents such as 100 per cent acetone, 80 per cent acetone, 95 per cent ethanol, 100 per cent methanol and 90 per cent methanol. Each of the mixtures was directly centrifuged to get clear supernatant containing pigments of interest. The pigments were detected and subsequently quantified via two simple techniques, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer and thin layer chromatography (TLC).
Findings
UV-Vis spectrophotometer detected two families of pigments present in the callus cultures, namely, carotenoids (carotene and xanthophyll) and tetrapyrroles (chlorophyll a and b). Pigment contents in various solvent extractions were estimated using spectroscopic quantification equations established. Through TLC, spots were seen on the plates, and Rf values of each spots were assessed to indicate the possible existence of carotenoids and tetrapyrroles.
Originality/value
This preliminary study offers significant finding for further advance research related on natural pigments extracted from E. cinerascens that would provide profits in the future applications, especially in food industry, medicine, agriculture, etc.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank University of Malaya for the financial support (PV25/2011B) and the facilities provided.
Citation
Elias, H., Mat Taha, R., Hasbullah, N.A., Othman, R., Mahmad, N., Saleh, A. and Abdullah, S. (2018), "Detection and quantification of natural pigments extracted from callus of
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited