Locust bean gum (LBG) as a gelling agent for plant tissue culture media

Locust bean gum (LBG) is a natural hydrocolloid extracted from the seeds of carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.). This work describes the successful use of LBG as a gelling agent in combination with agar for shoot multiplication and rooting of carob tree and Iberian rose shoots. Its presence did not affect the multiplication rate of both species. The rooting frequency of carob shoots was even significantly increased in the presence of 5 g of LBG plus 4 g of agar to the medium compared to medium solidified with 9 g of agar. Iberian rose shoots rooting was not influenced by the addition of this gum to the rooting medium. Results obtained show that LBG can be used in combination with agar in culture medium as a gelling agent without negative effect on plant material and with the advantage of reduced medium costs.