An Innovative Use of Microalgal Extracts as an Alternative to Expensive Growth Regulators via Biotechnological techniques.

Microalgae are photosynthetic organisms that described as an abundant source of numerous bio compounds of commercial value, and using this green treasure as a vital alternative to expensive synthetic hormones via biotechnological technique is the main goal of research. Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with crude extract of Microcystis aeruginosa and Haematococcus pluvialis, separately was used to study its effect on Cynanchum acutum L., which is an important wild medicinal plant. Results revealed that all growth parameters have been affected where, the greatest shoot length (5.90 ± 0.45) has been reached with 4 mg /L of Microcystis aeruginosa extract, while the highest shoot number (7.50 ± 0.30) and leaf number (16.0 ± 0.59) were with 12 mg /L of Microcystis aeruginosa. extract, Conversely, the maximum shoot length (12.5 ± 0.44) has been reached with 2 mg/L of Haematococcus pluvialis extract, while highest shoot number (6.00 ± 0.36) and leaf number per shootlet (22.0 ± 0.92) were with 5 mg/L of Haematococcus pluvialis extract. Biochemical analysis for algae and plant extracts conducted using HPLC which proved the presence of phytohormones (zeatin, gibberellin, and kinetin) in algal extracts and nineteen important phenolic and flavonoid substances in plant extracts. The novelty of this study is to use algae as a natural source of growth regulators to achieve an economic benefit in addition to propagate Cynanchum acutum L. and increase its important pharmaceutical products.