The effect of different concentrations of coconut water on callus growth of endosperm explants of barringtonia racemosa (L.) / Nur Dayana Athirah Kamaruzzaman

Barringtonia racemosa is a woody plant that possesses many medicinal properties in maintaining human health. The fruits are used to relieve pain and inflammation, the leaf is proven in lowering high blood pressure while the root and bark are effective to treat chickenpox. Scientific study should be done by using this species as it can give benefits towards human health. However, there is no previous study had been done using this species with coconut water. A comparative study of different types of media and concentrations of coconut water was performed to determine its effect on callus growth and morphology of endosperm explants from B. racemosa. The observation of callus growth and morphology were done a weekly basis for 4 weeks incubation periods. The types of basal media studied were MS, WPM and B5. The endosperm explants of B. racemosa was cultured on MS, WPM and B5 media supplemented with 1.0 mg/L 2,4- D and 1.5 mg/L kinetin. The most suitable medium for callus growth of B. racemosa endosperm explants were obtained from MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L 2,4- D and 1.5 mg/L kinetin with the highest fresh weight (0.357 ± 0.029 g) and dry weight (0.028 ± 0.002 g). The analysis from One-way ANOVA also revealed the p-value 0.00 which was less than 0.05 (p < 0.05) which means, there was a significant difference between the means of callus fresh weight and dry weight with the types of basal media. The callus produced in MS medium were nodular in shape with creamy yellow colors. The effect of different concentrations of coconut water on callus growth and morphology of endosperm explants of B. racemosa were assessed using the MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of coconut water (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 ml/L), 1.0 mg/L 2,4-D and 1.5 mg/L kinetin. The findings showed that the optimum concentration of coconut water for the callus growth of endosperm explants from B. racemosa was 100 m/L. The highest fresh weight (0.622 ± 0.085 g) and dry weight (0.072 ± 0.01 g) were recorded for this concentration. The callus generated from this concentration were compact and creamy yellow. In conclusion, MS media supplemented with 100 ml/L coconut water, 1.0 mg/L 2,4-D and 1.5 mg/L kinetin are recommended in order to successfully induced the vigorous callus growth of B. racemosa endosperm explants.