Plant pigment dyes for pollen staining

Abstract

The efficiency of natural dyes has been tested only in plant tissues and chromosomes, but still lacking in the pollen grains. The organic compound of the pollen grain is different from other plant structures. Therefore, this research aims to select the plants and solvents that are suitable for extracted natural dye for staining pollen. The flower of Clitoria ternatea L., flowers of Delonix regia Raf., fruit peels of Hylocereus undatus Britton & Rose, and fruit peels of Garcinia mangostana L. were extracted with distilled water or 95 percent ethyl alcohol at a ratio of 1 g of sample per 10 ml of solvents for 72 h, and then filter, evaporate, and vacuum freeze-dried the samples, respectively. Pollen of Hibiscus Rosa-sinensis L. was used to test the efficiency of natural dyes. The results showed that the natural dye extracted with distilled water from flowers of D. regia and fruit peels of H. undatus have efficiency as Safranin O for pollen staining, and can observe the shape and size of exine sculpturing, ornamentation, aperture, and pollen wall thickness. On the other hand, the natural dyes were extracted from these plants with 95 percent ethyl alcohol have low to moderate efficiency in pollen staining. Thus, it is not suitable for use as a solvent for pigment extraction.