Pollen Cryopreservation of Brownea grandiceps Jacq.
摘要
Brownea grandiceps, belonging to the Fabaceae family, is a striking ornamental tree native to rainforests across parts of the Americas. Commonly known as the “mountain rose,” it is renowned for its vibrant clusters of red to orange flowers, which add significant visual appeal and attract a variety of birds and butterflies. Beyond its ornamental value, Brownea grandiceps is also notable for its medicinal properties, having been traditionally used in treating various ailments. Studies suggest that it possesses antimycobacterial properties, supporting its use in tuberculosis treatment. Additionally, it is commonly applied for managing hemorrhagic conditions, particularly in women with excessive menstrual blood loss. The conservation of Brownea grandiceps is vital due to its ecological and medicinal significance. Cryopreservation offers an effective long-term preservation method for retaining viable cells, tissues, and other biological materials without losing their functional properties. Specifically, pollen cryopreservation is ideal for preserving the plant’s genetic material for breeding purposes and maintaining its valuable traits. In this method, pollen is stored in liquid nitrogen at −196 °C, ensuring longevity and genetic integrity. This chapter presents a detailed protocol for cryopreserving Brownea grandiceps pollen, covering procedures for pollen collection, extraction, viability assessment, cryopreservation, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis.