A Review of Momordica charantia L.: Regeneration via Organogenesis versus Embryogenesis

Abstract

Momordica charantia L., commonly known as bitter melon/gourd, is a slender tendril-climbing annual vine of the family Cucurbitaceae. Bitter melon grows in tropical areas, including parts of the Amazon, Asia, and the Caribbean, and is cultivated throughout South America. It is a common food of the tropics used in the treatment of many diseases and is also known for its potent hypoglycemic actions. A steroidal sapogenins known as charantin, insulin-like peptides, and alkaloids have been reported to have hypoglycemic or other actions of potential benefit in diabetes mellitus. The present chapter gives a comprehensive review of the tissue culture of Momordica charantia. There are two ways of regeneration, direct organogenesis and indirect organogenesis; both take place through the production of adventitious buds and somatic embryogenesis. The present review gives a complete in vitro regeneration protocol of M. charantia.

Keywords: Clonal propagation, Differentiation, Explants, In vitro regeneration, Organogenesis, Regeneration, Somatic embryogenesis.

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