In the world of plant tissue culture , the choice of gelling agent may seem like a small detail -Â but it plays a critical role in the success of plant propagation and regeneration. For decades, agar has been the go-to solidifying agent for culture media used in plant tissue culture.
However, in recent years, gellan gum in plant tissue culture has emerged as a powerful alternative that offers several advantages over traditional agar. It is becoming increasingly popular among researchers and commercial growers alike due to its unique properties and performance benefits.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what gellan gum in plant tissue culture is, how it works, and why more labs and researchers are choosing it today.
Gellan gum is a water-soluble polysaccharide produced by the bacterium Sphingomonas elodea . Originally developed as a thickening and stabilizing agent for food products, its unique properties quickly caught the attention of the biotechnology and plant science communities.
Gellan gum comes in two main types:
High Acyl vs. Low Acyl Gellan Gum
High Acyl Gellan Gum:Â forms a soft, elastic gel due to the presence of acyl groups. It offers more flexibility and is suitable for applications where gentle support is needed.
Low Acyl Gellan Gum:Â produces a firm, brittle gel with high clarity and stability. It is preferred for applications requiring clear, defined gels - such as in microbiology, plant tissue culture, and food products like jellies, suspended drinks, and confectionery.
For most plant tissue culture applications, low acyl gellan gum is preferred due to its ability to form clear, stable gels at relatively low concentrations (typically between 0.2% and 0.4%).
Why Use Gellan Gum Instead of Agar?
While agar has long been the standard for solidifying plant tissue culture media, gellan gum offers several key advantages that make it a superior choice for modern applications.
One of the most noticeable differences is the clarity of the medium. Gellan gum produces a crystal-clear gel -Â with transparency levels reaching up to 90% -Â making it much easier to observe root development, callus formation, and other morphological changes. This high level of visibility is especially valuable in research settings where visual monitoring is critical, and it also allows for early detection of contamination.
Gellan gum achieves strong gel formation at much lower concentrations than agar -Â typically between 0.05% and 0.5% , or about one-fifth the amount required for agar . This not only reduces material costs but also minimizes interference with nutrient availability and plant growth.
Unlike agar, which can vary in composition depending on its source, gellan gum is a well-defined, chemically pure polysaccharide. This consistency leads to greater reproducibility across experiments and between laboratories, making results more reliable and easier to compare.
Gellan gum gels retain moisture better than agar, significantly reducing the risk of desiccation during prolonged culture periods. This is particularly beneficial for slow-growing species or when cultures need to be maintained over extended durations without frequent subculturing.
Studies have shown that gellan gum can help reduce phenolic browning and microbial contamination compared to agar. Its purity and lack of complex carbohydrates make it less likely to support the growth of contaminants such as mold, improving overall culture health and success rates.
The gels formed by low acyl gellan gum are firm and brittle rather than elastic. This structure can be advantageous in certain applications, especially those involving sensitive explants or regeneration systems where minimal mechanical resistance is preferred.
Thanks to its brittle nature, gellan gum can be easily washed off plant roots before transplantation. This simplifies the acclimatization process, reduces stress on the plants, and improves survival rates after transfer to soil or other growing media.
Once set, gellan gum does not melt when reheated -Â a useful feature during sterilization and long-term culture storage. This heat stability ensures consistent medium structure throughout the culture period, even under varying temperature conditions.
Gellan gum has been successfully used across a wide range of plant tissue culture techniques, proving to be a versatile and effective gelling agent. These applications include:
Gellan gum supports the rapid multiplication of high-value species such as orchids, roses, and banana plants, offering a clear and stable medium for shoot proliferation and root development.
Its uniform gel structure and transparency make it ideal for the induction and development of somatic embryos, especially in species like conifers and coffee.
The stable gelling properties of gellan gum support the formation of shoots, roots, and other organs from explants, making it suitable for regeneration studies.
Gellan gum provides a consistent matrix that supports callus growth and subsequent regeneration into whole plants, particularly useful in genetic transformation experiments.
In breeding programs, gellan gum is often used in anther or microspore culture due to its ability to maintain a stable environment for cell division and development.
It has proven effective for both monocot and dicot species, with notable success in difficult-to-culture plants such as orchids, bananas, potatoes, and various woody species. Its performance across diverse systems makes it a preferred choice for labs aiming to improve efficiency and reproducibility in plant tissue culture.
Using gellan gum in tissue culture is straightforward, but there are a few best practices to keep in mind for optimal results:
For most plant tissue culture applications, a concentration of 0.2% to 0.4% (w/v) gellan gum is typically sufficient. This translates to 2-4 grams per liter of culture medium. A commonly used brand is GELRITE®, and 2 g/L is often enough to form a stable gel.
For most plant tissue culture applications, a concentration of 0.2% to 0.4% (w/v) gellan gum is typically sufficient. This translates to 2-4 grams per liter of culture medium. A commonly used brand is GELRITE®, and 2 g/L is often enough to form a stable gel.
Include all necessary nutrients, vitamins, sugars, and plant growth regulators before heating. Some formulations may also benefit from the addition of small amounts of CaClâ‚‚ or MgSOâ‚„ to enhance gel strength.
Heat the mixture with constant stirring until it comes to a boil. Boil for about one minute to fully dissolve the gellan gum.
After dissolving the gellan gum and other components, check and adjust the pH of the medium as needed -Â usually between 5.6 and 5.8 for most plant species.
Pour the medium into culture vessels (e.g., jars, test tubes, Petri dishes) and sterilize by autoclaving at 121°C for 15-20 minutes .
After autoclaving, let the medium cool at room temperature without disturbance. The gel will form as the solution cools.
Unlike agar, gellan gum forms a clear, stable gel upon cooling without requiring high temperatures for solidification. Its clarity and consistency make it especially useful for observing root development and other morphological changes during culture.
As plant tissue culture continues to evolve, so too do the tools and materials we use -Â especially when it comes to selecting the right gelling agent. Gellan gum in plant tissue culture represents a significant advancement in gelling technology, offering improved clarity, consistency, and performance compared to traditional agar.
Whether you're working in a commercial micropropagation lab or conducting academic research, incorporating gellan gum in plant tissue culture could lead to better growth outcomes, fewer contaminants, and more efficient workflows.
So next time you prepare your culture media, consider giving gellan gum a try -Â your plants might thank you!
If you're looking for a high-quality, cost-effective alternative to GELRITE®, look no further. We offer premium gellan gum formulations that deliver the same reliable performance - with superior clarity, stability, and consistency - at a fraction of the price.
Contact us today or request a sample to see the difference for yourself.
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