Initiation of Red Ginger Callus (Zingiber officinale var. rubrum Rosc.) from Various Explants

¹ Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Surabaya, Raya Kalirungkut, Surabaya 60293, Indonesia
² Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Surabaya, Raya Kalirungkut, Surabaya 60293, Indonesia
³ PT. Bintang Toedjoe, Pulomas, Jakarta 13210, Indonesia
⁴ Graduate School of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Republic of Korea

^* Corresponding author: sukwee@staff.ubaya.ac.id

Abstract

The increasing demand for red ginger (Zingiber officinale Roxb. var. rubrum Rosc.) both at the domestic and international levels has led to the need for gingerol production, a main compound of red ginger, which has various pharmacological activities. The urgency of this research is related to gingerol produced in cultivated red ginger, which often shows variability in quantity due to genetic variation and differences in geographical and environmental conditions where it is grown, so it requires gingerol standardization efforts. Through tissue culture techniques, it is possible to propagate plants in a controlled environment, ensuring genetic uniformity and minimizing variations caused by genetic factors. Red ginger raw materials that can be produced consistently, quickly, and land-efficiently with high gingerol content and pesticide-free have become an essential economic necessity. In this joint study with PT. Bintang Toedjoe, researchers intend to utilize root culture bioprocessing technology to increase gingerol production from red ginger. Root cultures have stabile genetics and growth faster; thus, these techniques imply the formation of organs or structures conducive to enhanced gingerol production. Our research has revealed successful protocols for inducing and multiplying suitable callus for organogenesis. Through the application of hormones, the best callus induction is using a combination of 3 ppm 2,4-D and 0.2 ppm BA with a callus production percentage of 67%. On the other hand, a satisfactory callus multiplication rate was used using 1 ppm 2,4-D with the most significant increase in explant area (79 mm²) by ruler alignment. Meanwhile, the rooting response was prominent at 1 ppm 2,4-D + 3 ppm BA.