In Vitro Micropropagation and Callus Induction of Mulateiro (Calycophyllum Spruceanum) Seeds Collected from the Amazon Basin

Abstract

An in vitro micropropagation and callus induction protocol was developed from seeds of an important medicinal plant Calycophyllum spruceanum (Benth.) known as "mulateiro”. This protocol provides an alternative and rapid mean for improvement and multiplication of C. spruceanum through germination and tissue culture using different concentrations of auxin 2,4-D. Different concentrations of 2,4-D auxin alone can produce callus, thus, concentrations of 2,4-D (1 mg.L-¹ and 2 mg.L-¹) were the most effective for callus induction of the medicinal plant C. spruceanum. Mulateiro has high commercial value and is used in the preparation of several cosmetic products and is used in poultice form as an anti-inflammatory, antifungal, healing and rejuvenating agent. Efficient micropropagation of C. spruceanum under in vitro conditions is an important step toward improvement of this neglected but important medicinal plant. Therefore, it is necessary to report an efficient and reproducible protocol for rapid and large-scale propagation of mulateiro by in vitro micropropagation through tissue culture and callus induction. Thus, this study describes a successful in vitro regeneration system of mulateiro for timber and medicinal purposes.