LE3 .A278 2012

2012

Kristie, David

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Biology

Biology

Seaweed extracts (SWEs) derived from the brown algae Ascophyllum nodosum, Ecklonia maxima and Macrocystis integrifolia, have been shown to induce adventitious rooting in mung bean, Vigna radiata. The objectives of this study were to attempt to identify compounds present in SWEs that influence rooting. Three SWEs were examined: Acadian Seaplants Ltd. (ASL), Kelpgrow, and Kelpak. Dose responses indicated that rooting activity was highest at 0.3% ASL, 1.0% Kelpgrow and 5.0% Kelpak. Laminarin, a storage glucan present in brown algae, was studied to determine if it is responsible for the rooting activity of SWEs. A dose response showed a 0.0025% laminarin solution from Sigma-­‐Aldrich Co. (Sigma) induced the highest number of roots. Laminarin (Sigma) and the laminarin extracted from ASL and Kelpgrow by McKinnon Lab, NRC-­‐IMB were digested with laminarinase. Digestion of Sigma laminarin resulted in increased activity after 1 hour of digestion, but was reduced to control level after 3 hours. Laminarin extracts did not show significant activity compared to a water control or show significant changes in activity following digestion. Dialysis was done to examine rooting activity of the high molecular weight (HMW) fraction (>3500MW) of SWEs. The HMW fraction of Kelpak had no significant rooting activity after dialysis, indicating that all rooting activity was present in the low molecular weight (LMW) fraction. There was no change in the rooting activity present in the dialyzed samples of Kelpgrow, suggesting all activity was present in the HMW fraction. Activity of the HMW fraction of ASL was significantly higher than water control, but reduced compared to the undialyzed sample, indicating rooting activity was present in both HMW and LMW fractions.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:939