In vitro propagation and phytochemical analysis of Vanda cristata Wall. ex Lindl.: An endangered medicinal orchid of biopharmaceutical importance.

• An efficient model seed germination protocol for Vanda. • Addition of KN in the growth medium enhanced the frequency of PLBs proliferation and in vitro seedling multiplication. • Genetic fidelity and phytochemical analysis between the mother and in vitro regenerated plants. • A GC–MS method for simultaneous analysis of bioactive compounds. In the present investigation, an attempt was made to study in vitro propagation of Vanda cristata Wall. ex Lindl., an endangered and medicinally important epiphytic orchid, using seed germination which may reduce the pressures on its heedless collections from natural habitats. In vitro cultures were raised via asymbiotic seed germination technique on MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) medium with and without growth additives. When medium was supplemented with Kinetin, 99.75±0.25% seeds successfully germinated in 5.50±0.28 days followed by early protocorm formation (32.25±0.47 days) and complete seedling development (99.25±0.47 days). Indole-3-acetic acid+6-benzyl aminopurine in the medium showed synergistic effect during initial stages of seed germination and seedling development. Comparative phytochemical analysis, however, revealed that mother plant had a higher yield of secondary metabolites than in vitro regenerated plants. GC–MS analysis of the leaf methanolic extracts revealed 54 different phytochemicals. The outcome of the present study may be highly beneficial for the germplasm conservation and commercial cultivation of V. cristata for therapeutic purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]