Does synthetic seed storage at higher temperature reduce reserpine content of Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz.?

In the present study, we analyzed the impact of storage temperature and storage duration of synthetic seeds of Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz. on their germination performance and reserpine content, its key secondary metabolite. Synthetic seeds were developed using in vitro shoot tips (3-4 mm long) polymerized with 3% (w/v) sodium alginate and 75 mM calcium chloride. Storage of synthetic seeds at 25 A degrees C exhibited a high frequency of germination (82%) after 30-day storage. However, longer storage period (60 days) drastically reduced the germination frequency of synthetic seeds to 36%. Alternatively, in case of 8 A degrees C storage temperature, 60% synthetic seeds were germinated after 30-day storage with a minor decline to 52% following 60-day storage. Moreover, synthetic seed-germinated plantlets from 25 A degrees C storage condition showed a regression in reserpine content (203.38 +/- 0.21 A mu g gm(-1) of dried sample) than that of the plantlets regenerated from 8 A degrees C storage (249.37 +/- 0.21 A mu g gm(-1) of dried sample). Our study clearly infers that a lower temperature condition (above freezing; 8 A degrees C) is appropriate for storage, post-storage germination, and upholding the reserpine content of R. serpentina synthetic seeds.