Determination of effective surface sterilization protocol in in vitro tissue culture for Giant Snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii Hook) bulbs

Giant Snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii Hook) is a species of snowdrop belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family. In this study, the deformation rates of the bulbs was calculated as % (percent). For sterilization G. elwesii bulbs were sterilized at different concentrations (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 %) of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 minutes. The bulbs were rinsed with sterile distilled water 3 times for 5 minutes and then transferred to the MS medium. Contamination rates in MS nutrient medium were determined as percent (%) after 7 days. Deformation was not observed in the bulbs sterilized with 1 and 3% sodium hypochlorite solution however 100% contamination was detected. The most effective surface sterilization was obtained by soaking in 9-11% sodium hypochlorite solution for 5 and 10 minutes. As the sodium hypochlorite concentration and the application time increased, the surface sterilization of the bulbs increased, but the deformation rate of the scaly leaves of the bulbs increased due to this increase.