Activity of antioxidant enzyme during in vitro organogenesis in Crocus sativus

The effect of various hormonal combinations on regeneration of shoots and roots from meristem-derived callus of Crocus sativus L. and activities of antioxidant enzymes have been studied. The most efficient regeneration occurred with 1.0 mg dm(-3) 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) + 1.0 mg dm(-3) thidiazuron and 1.0 mg dm(-3) NAA + 2.0 mg dm(-3) kinetin. For sprouting, regenerated shoot were subcultured on Murashige and Skoog medium containing 1.0 mg dm(-3) NAA + 1.0 mg dm(-3) benzylaminopurine (BAP). Protein content and superoxide dismutase activity decreased in regenerated shoots and roots and increased in sprouting shoots, while catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities increased during organogenesis and decreased in sprouting shoots. High CAT and PPO activities were detected in regenerated roots, whereas high POX activity was observed in regenerated shoot.