Gold nanoparticles and electromagnetic irradiation in tissue culture systems of bleeding heart: biochemical, physiological, and (cyto)genetic effects

This study aimed to analyze the effect of various mutagens on the in vitro development, physiological activity, acclimatization efficiency, and genetic integrity of Lamprocapnos spectabilis ‘Valentine’. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), microwaves, and X-rays were used at different doses. The profiles of primary and secondary metabolites and the enzymatic activity in the produced plants were studied. The usefulness of various genetic markers in the detection of mutations in the species was compared. The genome size of L. spectabilis was estimated for the first time. It was found that the addition of AuNPs into the culture medium had a positive impact on the in vitro development and multiplication of plants. All of the shoots regenerated adventitious roots, but plants subjected to the longest microwave irradiation (3 × 9 s) and the non-treated control had the lowest acclimatization efficiency. Application of mutagens significantly affected the activity and profile of most enzymes and phytochemicals studied, however, the final effect depended on the agent type and dose. Mutations were detected by DAMD, RAPD, and SCoT markers in 7.5% of plants, but not by ISSRs. Phenotype variation in leaf shape was found in four plants. The genome size of L. spectabilis was found to be very small; about 1281 Mbp.