USING POLYSACCHARIDES AND GALACTOMANNANS AS GELLING AGENTS IN CAPSULEFORMATION OF ARTIFICIAL SEEDS

Somatic embryos that are produced in cell and tissue culture condition s do not form endosperm and testa around the embryo. For many envision ed applications, delicate embryos need to be covered with an artificia l endosperm-testa matrix that allows for respiration, contains nutrien ts and protectants, and is hard enough but allows the vague embryo to germinate and grow into a plant, A number of industrially produced and commonly available compounds were tested to determine their efficacy in supporting the germination of encapsulated somatic embryos of carro t (Daucus carota L.). Most of the combinations of galactomannans and p olysaccharides were at least as effective as calcium alginate alone in germinating the embryos. The disappearance of blue color in Lugol sta ining around embryos indicates that starch might also provide nourishm ent to embryos, thus serving as an artificial endosperm and a supporti ve matrix.