Determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration of Geneticin G418 in the process of callus <em>Digitalis purpurea</em> L.

Abstract

Digitalis purpurea L. produces cardiatonic glycosides such as digoxin and digitoxin, which are widely used for congestive heart failure. Genomic studies in this specie are limited because there is not an efficient genetic transformation system. One of the first steps to launch a transgene technology is to obtain the method and agent to select transformed out of non-transformed cells. In the current study, the Geneticin G-418 minimal inhibitory concentration was determined for leaf explants on callus formation. Besides, the effect of concentrations of this antibiotic between 10 and 50 mg.l-1 on leaves fragments was evaluated. An evaluation scale, taking into account the percentage of the explants which did not form callus, was proposed. No explant developed callus when leaves fragments were cultured at 50 mg.l-1.This concentration was considered as the minimal inhibitory and was selected for future works on genetic transformation. Key words: digoxin, genetic transformation, NPTII, selection