DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v24i2.184

Keywords: Aromatic rice; In vitro cultured; BAP hormone; Phytochemical screening

Abstract

This study aimed at screening the phytochemical content of in vitro grown Oryza sativa L. Cv. MRQ 74 and to determine its anti-cancer and cytotoxicity properties. The dehusked seeds of Oryza sativa L. Cv. MRQ 74 were surface sterilised using Clorox and Tween 20. The surface sterilised seeds were then cultured into MS media. Stems of 6-week-old aseptic seedlings were cultured on MS media with and without BAP hormones. The explants were cultured onto MS media fortified with 0.1 mg/L BAP and hormone-free as a control. Crude extracts of the stems and leaves of raised plantlets were prepared by maceration. Phytochemical screenings were conducted to detect the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, resins, phenols, reducing sugar and iodine. Anti-cancer and cytotoxicity tests were done on HepG2 and Vero cells using MTT assays. The results revealed that the crude extracts derived from plantlets grown on MS media with and without BAP were found to be rich in saponins, terpenoids, resins and reducing sugar. There was no evidence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, carbohydrates or starch in both crude extracts. BAP crude extracts have potential as an anti-cancer agent as they only require low concentrations to inhibit the growth of HepG2 cells.