Virtual Booth

Plant tissue culture is widely used in plant propagation, conservation, and biotechnology research. However, conventional seed sterilisation methods commonly rely on several chemical substances, such as disinfectants and sterilising agents, which may generate chemical waste, increase laboratory handling risks, and expose students to potential health hazards if not managed properly. In undergraduate teaching laboratories, repeated exposure to chemical compounds may also raise safety concerns, particularly during preparation, dilution, rinsing, disposal, and aseptic handling. This teaching aid introduces an ultrasound-assisted seed culture method as a greener, safer alternative for plant tissue culture instruction. The project focuses on selected Solanaceae species, including various Capsicum species and tomato, using seeds as the explant source for in vitro culture. Seeds were prepared and handled individually in the laboratory using a structured workflow that included sample preparation, aseptic flow techniques, ultrasound treatment, inoculation onto Murashige and Skoog (MS) media, and culture observation. Ultrasound wave frequencies of 33 kHz and 40 kHz were used as the primary treatment approach to reduce reliance on traditional chemical-based sterilisation methods. The cultures were observed for contamination and necrosis to evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound treatment, seed response, and handling techniques. Compared with conventional sterilisation methods that require multiple chemical compounds, the ultrasound-assisted approach supports green laboratory practice by minimising chemical usage, reducing chemical residue, lowering waste generation, and decreasing the potential risk of chemical exposure to students and laboratory personnel. This teaching aid enables postgraduate students to understand the relationship between sterilisation techniques, aseptic handling, contamination control, and tissue viability in plant tissue culture. It also promotes awareness of sustainable laboratory practices by demonstrating how physical treatment methods, such as ultrasound waves, can be integrated into plant tissue culture protocols. Overall, this ultrasound-assisted teaching aid provides an innovative, practical, safer, and environmentally friendly platform for enhancing plant tissue culture education.

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