Organic Supplementation of Vaccinium corymbosum Micropropagation Media.

The best Vaccinium corymbosum plant growth under in vitro conditions can be achieved by using the right composition and pH of the medium. For the initial phase of in vitro culture, a combination of cytokinins-mostly zeatin-can usually be used. Organic supplementation of the medium enables the use of a replacement for the expensive natural cytokinin used in micropropagation of highbush blueberry. This chapter describes the experiments with silicon Hydroplus™ Actisil (Si), coconut water (CW), and different pH (5.0; 5.5, and 6.0) as a stress factor. The addition of 200 mg dm-3 silicon solution and 15% coconut water strongly stimulated highbush blueberry plant growth in vitro. Moreover, silicon solution benefits the negative effects of higher pH of the medium used for micropropagation of V. corymbosum. Maximum vegetative development of blueberry explants was obtained at pH 5.

Health-Promoting Capacities of In Vitro and Cultivated Goji (Lycium chinense Mill.) Fruit and Leaves; Polyphenols, Antimicrobial Activity, Macro- and Microelements and Heavy Metals.

There is a growing interest among the public in fruit with a positive impact on human health. Two goji berry cultivars ('No. 1' and 'New Big') were propagated in vitro, grown in an orchard and then evaluated for macro- and microelements and harmful heavy metals (i.e., Pb, Ni, and Cd). The leaves and fruit were also assessed for nutritional value, polyphenols and the antimicrobial activity of the leaves. 'New Big' was characterized by a higher content of macro elements in the leaves (in vitro and orchard) and a higher content of microelements in the fruit. The harmful substances content was below the minimum value. Furthermore, neither the fruit nor the leaves contained cadmium. This study also indicated that leaves had a higher content of polyphenols compared to the fruit. The fruits were characterized by their health-promoting capacities, while the leaves were characterized by their antibacterial activity. Among the Gram-positive bacteria, the most sensitive strain was Bacillus subtilis, and among the Gram-negative bacteria, it was Proteus vulgaris. Taking into consideration the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for minerals, goji berries can be declared to be a source of Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn and P.