Use of nanoparticles in sterilization procedures in plant tissue culture applications

Plant tissue culture applications are carried out in sterile conditions in vitro. It is important to establish and protect aseptically the culture media from biological contamination. Microbial contamination in the culture medium may affect experimental results by preventing adequate nutrition and development of plants. Contamination is mostly microorganisms found on the surfaces of explants. Therefore, explants should be subjected to sterilization procedures prior to culture procedures. For this purpose, there is a need for discovery of effective sterilants that will not have toxic effects on the plants. In recent years, nanomaterials have been used as an antimicrobial agent, especially in the fields of Nanosilver [NS], medicine and environment. In this study, the potential of silver nanoparticles (Ag NP) in surface sterilization for the sterilization of Nepeta cataria L. seeds in sterile in vitro conditions was investigated. Three (960 ml, 1300 ml, 1600 ml) different concentrations and three (5 min, 10 min, 15 min) different time were tried to determine the optimum concentration and time to be applied to the seeds of the plant. As a result of the applications made the lowest contamination, 3 min. In 70% ethyl alcohol, followed by 20 min, 1980 ml concentration of Ag NP solution in seeds. No signs of toxicity were observed in the obtained plantlets. The results show that Ag NPs can be used to obtain in vitro sterile plants.