ABSTRACT
Shoot tips and nodes of Myrtle [Myrtus communis L. family miyrtaceae] were used as explants for callus formation in this study. Half salt strength of MS medium without plant growth regulators showed no callus formation and regeneration. The results clearly showed that half salt strength of MS basal solid medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l NAA and 1.0 mg/l TDZ or 1.0 mg/l NAA and 1.0 mg/l BAP recorded the best results in callus production from shoot tip or node explants [5.29, 4, 98, 3.84 and 3.69, mg /jar fresh weights, respectively]. The same trend was obtained with the other parameters as 0.37, 0.35, 0.51 and 0.48 g / Jar dry weights, respectively, 98.66, 97.33, 63.55 and 54.29, callus percentage, respectively, 5.0, 4.85, 4.35, and 4.15, callus size [Degree] respectively. In regeneration, half salt strength of MS solid medium contained 1.0 mg/l IAA, 0, 5 mg/I BAP and 0.2 mg/I GA3 observed the highest records in that concern with callus obtained before from both types of explant [shoot tips or nodes] in the medium contained 1.0 mg/I BA and 1.0 mg/I NAA. In acclimatization, shoots without in vitro root formation were transferred to soil mixture of equal volumes of peat-moss and sand. The highest percentage of survival was recorded when these shoots were dipping in solution of 1.5 mg/I IBA and 1.0 mg/I 0A3. The quantity of essential oil of plant was equal 0.5% [V/W] of yellowish volatile oil, from analysis of the oil using GC and GC/MS; it was obvious that it contained 14 compounds where alpha-pinene represented the highest percentage [66%] while alpha-thugen was the lowest one [0.5%]. The antioxidant activity was investigated in leaf extracts of in vitro produced plants and in vivo grown plants [mother plants] which recorded 82% and 75% respectively. Total phenolic compounds and total flavoniodal contents were investigated in leaf extracts of in vitro produced plants and in vivo grown plants [mother plants] parameters were 112 micro g% and 125 .micro g%, respectively with the extract of in vitro leaves while the extract of in vivo leaves [mother plants] showed 102 micro g% and 114 micro g%, respectively