Characterization of three species of aquatic mosses in axenic culture for biomonitoring and biotechnological applications

Bryophytes are known bioindicators and are also emerging as effective tools for bioremediation. In vitro culture of bryophytes is an important tool for the implementation of several research and industrial applications but it is a poorly explored technology. In this study, we characterize in sterile conditions three aquatic moss species largely used all over the world for decoration but poorly studied: Leptodictyum riparium, Vesicularia montagnei and Taxiphyllum barbieri. They share interesting morphological traits that suggest their use as natural biofilters. Results include protocols for the establishment of axenic in vitro cultures, different for the different species because of their sensitivity to treatments, on which the morphological characters of the three species were described. The sporophytic generation was observed in L. riparium and V. montagnei but not in T. barbieri that may be unable to develop the diploid generation. The effect of plant growth regulators on gametophyte fragments was described applying 6-benzylaminopurine as cytokinin and α-naphthalene acetic acid as auxin. The absorption of several trace elements was measured in a mixed solution simulating environmental pollution, evidencing specie specificity toward the different elements. The possible applications for these mosses are not only in the field of bioindication but also in bioremediation and environmental restoration. Our study produced widely applicable protocols and basic information for further applications.