| Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) is an important medicinal plant, native to Canada and Eastern United States, used as an antibiotic, anticonvulsant and in treatments for inflammations and dyspepsia. Over collection of wild population and native habitat destruction has lead the species to be listed as an endangered species in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Appendix II. This brought a revived interest in conservation of germplasm.;Calcium alginate solid and hollow bead encapsulation protocols were evaluated. Shoot and callus propagules were encapsulated in calcium alginate solid bead (supplemented with stage II nutrient media) and hollow bead (no nutrient supplements) and were stored at 25°C and 5°C for either 4, 8 or 12 weeks. Best regeneration and viability were observed in 2.5% alginate concentrated solid shoot propagules that were stored at 5°C. By the end of 6 weeks of sub culturing 100% regeneration was achieved. Reduced (10%) regeneration was observed in callus propagules stored at 5°C, and all the callus propagules stored at 25°C were necrotic. |
