Distribution andinitiation of Callus Culture from root of polygala paniculatausing BAP (6-Benzylaminopurine)

Polygala paniculata is one of the plant species from Polygalaceae family which is able to adapt in disturbed areas including roadsides, forest edges and wasteland with certain altitude. Commonly, it is widespread in Malaysia and Micronesia and also known as an invasive species in certain Pacific Islands. The reason that Polygala pediculate has been chosen as a study material in this research is due to the presence of methyl salicylate within its roots. This aromatic ester will release a smell which induces plant’s self-protection against insect herbivores and microbial pathogens as well as fungus formation. Apart from that, methyl salicylate in P. paniculata can also be used as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, expectorant and anti- rheumatics to treat diseases such as asthma, arthritis and bronchitis. However, the number of local research regarding to this medicinal species is still limited today. Besides, it is very hard for people to collect as P. paniculata can only be found at the altitude area with range between 350 m to 1700 m above sea level. Hence, this research is carried out to enable indoor production and introduce this traditional medicinal plant to the public as well as to establish in vilro micropropagation of P. panic-ulata for further study in future. In this research, several trials that had been made upon the surface sterilization and establishment of aseptic in vitro propagation of P. paniculata with adjustment in the amount of antifungal, sodium hypochlorite, ethanol and the presence of BAP (6-Benzylaminopurine) used to find out the protocol that results the least number of fungal fom1ation. At the end of the research, although none of the effective protocols were found, the results obtained were kept for further study.