Molecular Identification of Zantedeschia Culture with Determination of Its Morphometric and Metabolic Activities for Mediterranean Acclimatization

Eman Tawfik; Mohamed Fathy Ahmed; Doha A Albalawi; Bandar S Aljuaid; Doaa Bahaa Eldin Darwish; Samy F Mahmoud; Karim M Hassan; Mohamed F M Ibrahim; Ashraf Bakry Abdel Razik

doi:10.3390/plants11172311

Molecular Identification of Zantedeschia Culture with Determination of Its Morphometric and Metabolic Activities for Mediterranean Acclimatization

Plants (Basel). 2022 Sep 3;11(17):2311. doi: 10.3390/plants11172311.

Authors

Eman Tawfik¹, Mohamed Fathy Ahmed², Doha A Albalawi³, Bandar S Aljuaid⁴, Doaa Bahaa Eldin Darwish^{5

6}, Samy F Mahmoud⁴, Karim M Hassan², Mohamed F M Ibrahim⁷, Ashraf Bakry Abdel Razik⁸

Affiliations

¹ Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo 11566, Egypt.
² Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt.
³ Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia.
⁵ Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35511, Egypt.
⁶ Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Tabuk University, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia.
⁷ Department of Agricultural Botany, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt.
⁸ Genetics Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt.

Abstract

Calla lily (Zantedeschia albomaculata (Hook.) Baill.) is an herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennial grown from rhizomes. It is commonly named "Spotted Arum". Ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) are found in all known organisms and are known for being functionally equivalent in all of them. A completely new in vitro culture protocol was applied to Z. albomaculata with two hormones, 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and kinetin, to obtain full growth and multiplication. Due to their highly conserved sequences, the analysis of small-subunit rRNAs (16S-18S rRNAs) can provide precise statistical evaluation of a wide variety of phylogenetic connections. As a result, the plant's 18S rRNA gene allowed for identification and partial sequencing. Also, the traditional floral method and the novel application technique for identification were applied to Z. albomaculata. In this paper we systemically describe the structural strategies of the plant's adaptation to the surroundings at the morphological, physiological, and anatomical scale. Most the essential oils and fatty acids found in Z. albomaculata are omega fatty acids, octadecenoic acid, linoleic acid, and palmitic acid. All these fatty acids have industrial, medicinal, and pharmaceutical applications. The significant findings are the spadix sheathing leaves, and the precipitation of raphides calcium oxalate. The mitotic index showing the division activity was recorded, and it was 17.4%. The antimicrobial activity of Z. albomaculata ethanol extract was performed via the well diffusion method. This extract has shown high activity against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, compared to its lower activity against Bacillus cereus. By defining these characteristics and in vitro culture conditions, we will be able to acclimatize the plant in greenhouses, and then transfer it to the open field. The findings of this work identified the general characteristics of Zantedeschia albomaculata as an ornamental and medicinal plant in order to acclimatize this plant for cultivation in the Mediterranean climate.

Keywords: GC–MS; LC–MS; Zantedeschia albomaculata; anatomy; antimicrobial activity; flavonoids; in vitro culture; morphological description; phenolics; pigmentation; raphides.

Grants and funding

TURSP-2020/245/Taif University Researchers Supporting 500 Project