Two-coat systems for encapsulation of Spathoglottis plicata (Orchidaceae) seeds and protocorms

• Published in: Biotechnology and bioengineering 1998-09, Vol.59 (5), p.635-639
• Main Authors: Khor, E. (National University of Singapore, Singapore.), Ng, W.F, Loh, C.S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; artificial seed; ARTIFICIAL SEEDS; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; complex coacervation; Encapsulation; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetics and breeding of economic plants; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; orchid; Polysaccharides; Protective coatings; Seed; Seeds and other planting stocks; SEMENCE ARTIFICIELLE; SEMILLA ARTIFICIAL; Spathoglottis plicata; two-coat systems
• ISSN: 0006-3592; 1097-0290
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0290(19980905)59:5<635::AID-BIT14>3.0.CO;2-8

Complex coacervation of alginate-chitosan and alginate-gelatin were used to develop two-coat systems for the encapsulation of Spathoglottis plicata seeds and protocorms (top-shaped structures formed after seed germination of orchids). Both the seeds and the protocorms could withstand the encapsulation treatments with high viability. About 54% of seeds and 40% of large protocorms (1.6-2.0 mm) were able to tolerate a 6-h desiccation treatment. However, viability of the small protocorms (0.7-0.9 mm) was greatly reduced if they were desiccated before encapsulation. Encapsulation after desiccation significantly increased the percentage viability of seeds and protocorms. Treatment with abscisic acid (ABA, 10(-5) M) before desiccation and encapsulation resulted in high percentage viability in seeds and large protocorms whereas the small protocorms were found to be less tolerant to the treatments