{"id":2985,"date":"2022-09-08T11:00:14","date_gmt":"2022-09-08T11:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mediapreparators.com\/what-is-plant-tissue-culture\/"},"modified":"2025-03-17T13:39:00","modified_gmt":"2025-03-17T13:39:00","slug":"what-is-plant-tissue-culture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mediapreparators.com\/en\/what-is-plant-tissue-culture\/","title":{"rendered":"What is plant tissue culture?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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What is in vitro<\/em> plant tissue culture and how does it work?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Plant tissue culture encompasses a set of techniques with multiple applications and is currently a rapidly growing field. <\/p>\n

This process is carried out in specialized laboratories, where professionals cultivate in vitro explants\u2014separated parts of a plant such as protoplasts, cells, tissues, or organs\u2014under strictly controlled environmental conditions with the aim of producing large quantities of genetically identical plants.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\tPlant tissue culture is defined as the cultivation of in vitro<\/em> explants under strictly controlled environmental conditions with the objective of producing large quantities of genetically identical plants.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Biologically, plant tissue culture is possible thanks to the cellular totipotency of meristematic plant tissues, which are present in various plant organs.<\/p>\n

This unique capability allows plant cells to reproduce asexually, revert their differentiation, and then re-differentiate to form a new plant.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\tTotipotency is the ability of certain cells to regenerate a complete organism, giving rise to all its cell types.\nMeristematic tissues are composed of undifferentiated cells with a high division capacity, responsible for plant growth and regeneration.\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Plant tissue culture is based on the principles of plant biotechnology, a multidisciplinary field that integrates various life sciences, including biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, virology, genetics, as well as applications in the food industry, pharmaceutical industry, and agriculture.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Applications of in vitro<\/em> plant tissue culture in biotechnology and agriculture<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Plant tissue culture enables the study and genetic modification of plants to enhance their resistance to viruses and insects, improve their nutritional value, modify their physical traits, and optimize their metabolism.<\/p>\n

Additionally, it provides a deeper understanding of the genetic and physiological processes of plants, as the controlled environmental conditions of in vitro<\/em> culture allow for precise monitoring and analysis.<\/p>\n

This approach is essential for harnessing plant totipotency and inducing genotypic and phenotypic manipulation in plant cells.<\/p>\n

Today, plant tissue culture is a key tool in both basic research and commercial applications. Its uses span multiple industries, including: <\/p>\n

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  • Agricultural biotechnology:<\/strong> Innovation in the development of high-yield seeds that increase fruit production per plant.<\/li>\n
  • Cosmetics<\/strong>: Production of collagen protein extracts and growth factors from plant stem cells, eliminating the need for animal-derived ingredients.<\/li>\n
  • Medicine<\/strong>: Development of pharmaceuticals and vaccines using genetically modified plants.<\/li>\n
  • Horticulture<\/strong>: The industry experiencing the greatest impact, as many companies now cultivate fruits and vegetables in vertical farming systems and greenhouses through plant tissue culture. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    Types of plant tissue culture<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    As mentioned earlier in this article, in vitro<\/em> plant tissue culture encompasses multiple techniques, classified according to their purpose:<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    Meristem culture<\/h4>

    This method involves culturing plant meristematic tissues under artificial conditions. It is ideal for preventing virus-induced diseases, as meristematic tissues are typically free of pathogens.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    Organ culture<\/h4>

    A technique that utilizes a plant organ\u2014such as a leaf, root, or stem\u2014to preserve the structure and functions of the desired plant.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    Callus culture<\/h4>

    A callus is a mass of undifferentiated cells. This technique involves culturing callus cells from any part of the plant, which are later induced to differentiate.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    Seed culture<\/h4>

    This method uses seeds to regenerate plants in an artificial environment.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    Protoplast culture<\/h4>

    In this technique, plant cells are isolated, their cell walls are removed to obtain protoplasts, and then they are cultured to regenerate cell walls, differentiate tissues, and develop into an adult plant.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    Embryo culture<\/h4>

    This method involves the sterile isolation and in vitro<\/em> growth of an immature or mature embryo, with the goal of obtaining a viable plant.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    Advantages and disadvantages of in vitro<\/em> plant tissue culture compared to traditional cultivation<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    Plant tissue culture offers numerous advantages over traditional cultivation methods. The following table summarizes its key benefits: <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    Advantages<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNo need for tasks such as weeding or pesticide application.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tProduces genetically and phenotypically uniform biomass, available year-round, independent of soil and climate conditions.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEnables continuous production, eliminating seasonality, with higher biomass yields that can be optimized over time.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFacilitates the study of mutagen effects and the immobilization of cells for biotransformation or biochemical reactions.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tProvides a continuous and reliable source of phytopharmaceuticals (bioactive plant-derived compounds used in medicine), allowing the synthesis of compounds that are difficult or impossible to obtain chemically, as well as large-scale plant cell cultivation.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAllows the production of hybrid plants through interspecific hybridization (crossing species within the same genus) and intergeneric hybridization (crossing species from different genera).<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEnables the cultivation of plant species that would be difficult to propagate through traditional methods.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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      Disadvantages<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRequires specialized personnel, advanced facilities, and a high initial investment in laboratories and greenhouses.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCultivated plants rely on specific nutrient sources.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDemands a sterile environment, as contamination can ruin an entire batch.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSeedlings are more vulnerable to contamination and water loss when transferred to external environments due to high humidity conditions during cultivation.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPlants are not autotrophic in culture and must undergo a transition phase before growing independently.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRequires more intensive monitoring and inspection at each developmental stage compared to traditional cultivation.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        Phases of in vitro<\/em> plant tissue culture and culture media preparation methods<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        There are multiple variations of in vitro plant tissue culture, each with its own particularities. <\/p>\n

        However, we believe it is appropriate to mention the main phases and then emphasize some of them. Generally, in vitro<\/em> plant tissue culture consists of 5 stages:<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        1<\/div><\/div>

        Species selection<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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        Preparation of culture media<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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        3<\/div><\/div>

        Tissue or explant development<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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        Rooting<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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        5<\/div><\/div>

        Conditioning and acclimatization<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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        Most of these steps are carried out manually by trained personnel, and their duration varies depending on the specific application.<\/p>\n

        However, a common denominator in all cases is the preparation of the culture medium, a process that can be particularly time-consuming and labor-intensive.<\/p>\n

        There are three ways of dealing with this procedure: procurement of finished product by purchasing it from an external supplier, manual preparation using an autoclave or automatic preparation using a media preparator.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        Preparation and sterilization of culture media in in vitro<\/em> plant tissue culture<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        Culture media used in plant tissue culture typically contain inorganic salts, growth regulators, vitamins, amino acids, carbohydrates, and, in some cases, a gelling agent, although its use is optional. Additional compounds, such as antioxidants, growth retardants, or natural organic complexes, can also be incorporated. <\/p>\n

        One of the most critical factors in culture media preparation is pH control, as it directly influences plant growth and the activity of growth regulators. Generally, the pH should be adjusted to around 5.5. Moreover, to prevent microbial contamination, culture media must be sterilized, with moist heat sterilization using an autoclave being the most widely used technique in laboratories. <\/p>\n

        As we already know, the correct preparation of culture media requires precision and control. It is necessary to add different components, ensure the accuracy of quantities and keep an exhaustive record of the provided amounts of each nutrient. After sterilization, the culture medium must be properly dispensed into glass or polypropylene containers under a laminar flow hood. The success of the process depends on these factors, but achieving the required precision can be challenging, especially when performed manually, as this increases the risk of contamination at every stage. <\/p>\n

        We have no doubt about the expertise and dedication of your plant tissue culture laboratory team. However, the possibility of human error cannot be ignored. These errors can have serious consequences, affecting not only product quality but also staff safety. Additionally, any failure in the process can result in significant losses of time and financial resources. <\/p>\n

        Manual preparation of culture media in plant tissue culture involves several risks, both in terms of process efficiency and operator safety. Below, we explain why. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        Risks of manual culture media preparation in in vitro<\/em> plant tissue culture<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        As previously mentioned, in vitro plant tissue culture requires strict control to prevent risks that could compromise both laboratory safety and culture media quality. The most critical risks include: <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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