Effect of UV Radiation (365nm) to Production of Antimitotic Compounds in Arachis hypogaea (Peanut) Roots

ZYRA B. ABELLAR, ELLEN RAE MARGARET G. DE JUAN, and ANDREA LUCYLE M. BELA-ONG
Philippine Science High School – Western Visayas Campus, Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute, Philippines

Abstract
Arachis hypogaea, commonly known as peanut, is a legume reported to contain phytoalexins that are potentially antimitotic. Phytoalexins are substances produced by plants as a response to numerous biotic and abiotic stresses, such as fungal and viral infections, ultraviolet (UV) radiation and ultrasonic exposure. The present study assessed the efficacy of UV radiation in inducing the production of phytoalexins through the Allium cepa root tip technique. Crude root ethanol extracts of A. hypogaea plants exposed and unexposed to UV radiation (3 mg/mL and 5 mg/mL), and tap water were compared. Results showed that the 5 mg/mL concentration of the UV-exposed plants was the only treatment which showed significant antimitotic potential compared to other treatments. However, optimum concentration ranges between 5 to 10 mg/mL only. In conclusion, exposure of the A. hypogaea plants to UV radiation aids the increase of production of antimitotic compounds present in A. hypogaea roots.

Keywords: Arachis hypogaea, Allium cepa root tip technique, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, phytoalexins, mitotic index (MI)