Sharma, SnehSharma, Sakshi2022-01-182022-01-182021-01-16https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810180968The present investigation “In vitro propagation and screening of antioxidant potential of Valeriana jatamansi- a high value medicinal herb” were carried out in the Department of Biotechnology. Valeriana jatamansi is an important medicinal plant belonging to the family Caprifoliaceae, used for insomnia, leprosy, ulcers, convulsions, jaundice, cardiac debility, dry cough, asthma, seminal weakness, chronic fever etc. due to presence of various metabolites and having sedative and anxiolytic property. Being highly medicinal, the species is constantly uprooted from nature for trade. As a result, availability of the species in its natural habitat is decreasing. Besides, propagation through seeds is also very poor. The present studywas henceforth aimed to develop an efficient, rapid and reproducible protocol for in vitro establishment along with analyzing antioxidant activity. In first experiment, surface sterilization protocol was standardized using Sodium hypochlorite and mercuric chloride as sterilant. Among all surface sterilization treatment, combination of Sodium hypochlorite and Mercuric chloride gave maximum survival rate in leaf (80.33±0.33) and nodal segment (77.00 ±0.57) explants. Maximum callus induction frequency (88.33± 0.33) was achieved on MS medium with 10.0 mg/l BAP and 2.0 mg/l NAA from leaf explants. MS medium fortified with BAP 4.0 (mg/l) + TDZ (1.0 mg/l) + NAA (0.5 mg/l) showed highest frequency (74.33 ± 0.66) of shoot induction from callus in 17 days with 15 ± 0.57 number of shoots per explant. Maximum direct shoot induction frequency from nodal explant was achieved on MS medium enriched with BAP (5.0 mg/l) + TDZ (3.0 mg/l) + NAA (1.0 mg/l) in 18 days. Microshoots inoculated on MS media supplemented with 4.0 mg/l BAP, 2.0 mg/l TDZ, 1.0 mg/l NAA and 0.5 mg/l GA3) showed maximum frequency of shoot multiplication with average shoot length (4.36 ± 0.08 cm) and average shoot number (14.00 ± 0.57). A 75.00 ± 1.15 % rooting with significantly high mean root number (8.00 ± 0.57) and root length was achieved in full strength MS medium, supplemented with same concentration i.e. 4.0 mg/l BAP, 2.0 mg/l TDZ, 1.0 mg/l NAA and 0.5 mg/l GA3) combination. A separate medium for root initiation was not required. Maximum plantlets survive after 1 year of acclimatization. RAPD and ISSR markers used to confirmed genetic stability of in vitro raised plants by showing 100 % monomorphism. High multiplication rate associated with genetic stability ensure the efficacy of the present in vitro clonal propagation protocol of this important medicinal plant. There is lack of information on antioxidant activity of in vitro raised plants of V. jatamansi leaf part extract. In second experiment, aim was to measure antioxidant activity of mother plant and in vitro raised plants of V. jatamansi in methanol and diethyl ether extract. The methanol (63.07 ± 0.92) and diethyl ether (41.35 ± 1.88) extract showed highest antioxidant activity in mother plant in comparison to in vitro raised plants of V. jatamansi. The study has practical implications as it will be helpful to meet out industrial as well as domestic demand. In addition, it will ensure conservation of the species by providing the uniform quality planting material.EnglishThesis