In vitro multiplication, antimicrobial, and insecticidal activity of Capparis spinosa L.

Abstract

Caper (Capparis spinosa L.) is a medical plant grown in Jordan. Mass harvesting of caper plants from their origin environments caused a reduction of these germplasm. Therefore, an easy and consistent method for clonal proliferation and callus induction was established for this species. C. spinosa L. in vitro culture affected in MS medium provided by 0.5 mg/L BAP gave 5.9 microshoots/explant. Two months later MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L NAA developed a maximum callus induction of 33.1 mm. Ex vitro, in vitro, and callus growth of C. spinosa L. using ethanolic and methanolic extracts were tested for their antimicrobial activity against different species of bacteria and fungi. Both ex-vitro and in vitro plants exhibited similar antimicrobial activity. Maximum ex vitro plant antibacterial activity was (23 mm ± 0.58 inhibition zone) against Staphylococcus epidermidi. In comparison, callus extracts gave the highest antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli. Moreover, caper plant extracts showed different antifungal effects against the tested fungi species. Investigation of the data showed that ex-vitro extract exhibited maximum antifungal activity compared to in vitro plants. Additionally, exposed Bemisia tabaci 4th nymphal instar to C. spinosa L. extracts suffered mortality ranging from 2 to 28%.  In most instances, both ethanolic and methanolic extracts affected the survival of B. tabaci more than the control. The current study confirmed that C. spinosa L. has a wide range of antibacterial, antifungal, and insecticidal activity.