Preliminary Evaluation of a New Polymeric Biocide as a Preservative in Plant in vitro Culture

Abstract

Akacid-plus is a novel polymeric biocide, which is evaluated in this research project for possible application to plant in-vitro culture. Due to the specific mode of action of Akacid, it seems that an initiative treatment with bleach or similar fast-acting substances is mandatory but it could be incorporated in low levels in culture medium in order to control the latent contaminations. Among different tested concentrations and application methods, the plant tissue tolerated low concentrations of Akacid-plus, ranging between 72 mg l-1 to 174 mg l-1, which indicates possibility of considering it as a preservative agent in plant in-vitro culture.