Effect of Time in Cryoprotectant Solution and Dehydration in Shoot Apex Regeneration of Genipap for Cryopreservation

The  Genipa americana L. is native and  cultivated throughout the Neotropics, from Mexico to Patagonia  and is a source of products widely used by humans, such as in ornamentals, food, medicine, and a popular herbal medicine. The conservation of genetic resources of this species has great relevance to breeding programs and maintenance of genetic diversity. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate different times of immersion in cryoprotectant solution and time of dehydration in a laminar flow in the regeneration of shoot tips of G. americana for the purpose of long-term conservation. Were used apexes encapsulated in alginate, they were immersed for 24 and 48 hours in 0.5 M sucrose and dehydrated for 0; 2 and 4 hours in a laminar flow then were inoculated on regeneration medium MS supplemented with 30 g/L sucrose, and 1 mg/L BAP, gelled with 4.5 g /L Phytagel®. After 30 days of culture were assessed the percentage of regeneration, number of shoots issued, the length of the largest shoot and number of leaves / shoot apex of genipap. The immersion in cryoprotectant solution of 0.5 M sucrose and dehydration in a laminar flow does not modify the viability of encapsulated shoot tips of genipap. Immersion for 24 hours in cryoprotectant solution of 0.5 M sucrose and dehydration for 2 hours in a laminar flow has potential for use in future studies of cryopreservation by encapsulation – dehydration of genipap.