MS Medium, Plant Cell and Tissue Culture Medium, Agar Powder Bottle, Tissue Culture Substrate

Product Name: Murashige and Skoog (MS) Medium Dehydrated Powder with Agar

Key Features and Specifications

Murashige and Skoog (MS) Medium is the most widely recognized and utilized Plant Cell and Tissue Culture Medium globally. It is a defined synthetic medium formulated to provide the essential nutrients, including major and minor elements, vitamins, and a carbon source (usually sucrose, though not always included in the basal powder), necessary for optimal growth and development of plant cells, tissues, and organs in vitro.

The medium is particularly known for its high concentration of macro-nutrients, which supports vigorous growth in a wide variety of plant species. When mixed with Agar Powder, it creates a solid Tissue Culture Substrate that provides the structural support needed for roots and shoots to grow without the cells being submerged in liquid.

Primary Applications

1. Plant Cell and Tissue Culture (PTC):

   • Micropropagation: Mass production of genetically identical plants (cloning) from small tissue segments (explants).

   • Callus Culture: Induction and proliferation of undifferentiated cell masses (callus) for genetic manipulation or secondary metabolite production.

   • Organogenesis/Embryogenesis: Essential for inducing the formation of specific organs (shoots, roots) or somatic embryos for whole-plant regeneration.

2. Genetic Engineering:

   • Used as the maintenance and selection medium for genetically modified plant cells.

3. Horticulture and Agriculture:

   • Employed by commercial laboratories for the rapid cloning and banking of high-value or disease-free plant stock.

Customization and Use

• Hormone Customization: The basal MS powder contains no plant growth regulators (hormones). Researchers must add specific Auxins (e.g., NAA, IAA) and Cytokinins (e.g., Kinetin, BAP) to the sterile medium to direct cell behavior (e.g., root formation, shoot formation, or callus growth).

• pH Control: The medium typically requires adjustment to a pH of 5.6-5.8 using acid/base before the addition of the gelling agent and final sterilization.

• Agar Powder: The supplied Agar Powder serves as the Tissue Culture Substrate, providing a firm, sterile surface. The concentration (typically 6–8 g/L) is adjusted based on the desired firmness of the medium.

• Liquid Culture: MS Medium can be prepared without agar for use in suspension culture (liquid medium) within an Incubating Oscillator.