Genetic variations inOcimum americanum L. (Tulsi) grown in in vitro and in vivo conditions

Abstract

Ocimum americanum has been used extensively in the traditional system of medicine in many countries. It is widely used in folk medicine as antimalarial and anticonvulsant drug. Its juices are used in pain, cough, cold, malaria, etc. Oils extracted from its leaves have antifungal, antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Plants grown in vitro may have difference in some aspects with those grown in vivo. The study done here showed the difference between the DNA and protein contents of the plant grown in vitro and in vivo using the technique, agarose gel electrophoresis. The difference in the size of DNA segments obtained shows that the plants grown in vitro have smaller DNA segments, some segment might also be broken. This could largely affect the proteins produced after translation which may be useful or even harmful in many ways. Maximum shoot multiplication was observed when concentration of BAP was 2000µl and NAA 20 µl and maximum root formation was observed when NAA concentration was 2000 µl and BAP concentration was 100 µl. Using Lowry's method, the total protein content found in plant grown in in vivo conditions was 16.20 per cent whereas plant grown in in vitro condition had 10.00 per cent protein content, it was found that DNA of in vitro plant was smaller in size than in vivo plant.This study can prove to be a major threshold for further studies on the plant. Difference in DNA and protein contents can make large changes in its properties.