An example of in vitro test to study the effects of surfactants in plant materials

The action of several concentrations of an anionic synthetic surfactant alkylbenzene sulphonate (ABS) and a non-ionic surfactant arylalkylpolyglycol ether (Citowett) were studied using as test different in vitro culture systems (Pittosporum tobira Ait. and Nicotiana tabacum L. var. Bel W3). Three parameters were analyzed: i) callus or total biomass increase (P. tobira and N. tabacum, respectively); ii) shoot regeneration frequency (N. tabacum); iii) cell damage. Phytotoxic general effects occurred for ABS and Citowett in both species especially at higher concentrations; however some differences were observed between the two types of surfactants. A clear callus growth stimulation was found in P. tobira cultured in presence of ABS at lower doses whereas Citowett at high concentration induced, in N. tabacum, a light increase of the total number of regenerated shoots in comparison to control. Both surfactants at higher concentrations caused strong damages at cytological level. The effects of these surfactants on cytoplasm and nuclei were determined. The use of in vitro culture as a monitoring system is discussed.