Optimization of mucilage secretion of Plantago ovata, Alyssum desertorum, and Ocimum basilicum seeds by response surface method.

Diaspore comprises a collection of seed coats and other organ components that effectively protect the embryo and dispersal. The mucilage in many species, a gelatinous mixture of cell wall polysaccharides, is secreted by the pericarp. Although the modification, synthesis, and secretion of the strain of mucilage as well as structure and roles of plant cell wall have been of great interest and study by researchers, the understanding of the best conditions for the secretion of mucilage has received low attention. This research aimed to investigate effective factors in the process of mucilage secretion in P. ovata, A. desertorum, and O. basilicum seeds. To achieve this objective, an investigation was conducted to examine the impact of seed number, polarity, pH and species on mucilage secretion. This study showed that the number of seeds and type of species had the least and the most effect on mucilage production, respectively. Finally, according to the results of Response Surface Method design experiments, pH, polarity and species had a significant effect on the process of mucilage secretion. pH = 4 and polarity = 15 for P. ovata and pH = 10 and polarity = 15 for O. basilicum and A. desertorum were the most favorable conditions for secretion of 10.3 mm, 9.4 mm, and 2.9 mm of mucilage, respectively.