INDEXING BIOACTIVITY OF ASCOPHYLLUM NODOSUM EXTRACT AGAINST ABIOTIC STRESS USING BY-2 CELLS

Abstract

The use of active bio-stimulant components of the brown algae Ascohphyllum nodosum has triggered much enthusiasm in the research community. For progressive research in this field, establishment of a standardized model system to achieve consistent results while using such components was imperative. Therefore, in this study a cell culture bioassay using Nicotiana tobacum. L.cv Bright Yellow 2 (BY-2) cells was developed to identify the protection level that Ascophyllum nodosum extract (ANE) offers against abiotic stress. To standardize the experiment, growth parameters of BY-2 suspension cultures under abiotic stresses were measured. The results revealed that ANE was significantly effective on improvement of cells’ dry weight and viability under freezing stress. ANE increased the membrane stability, nuclear integrity and decreased ROS formation in the cells during the stress, indicating antioxidant activity of the extract. In addition, gene expression analysis detected differential transcript levels of genes under freezing temperature.