Kembang sungsang (Gloriosa superba L.): A potential plant as a source of biomutagens

Gloriosa superba (Kembang Sungsang, local name) belongs to the monocotyledoneae class and the Liliaceae family. This plant is known as a medicinal plant and its pharmacological effects have been developed both traditional and modern. All parts of the Gloriosa superba, especially the tubers and seeds, contain alkaloids namely colchicine and gloriosine. The content of colchicine and colchicides in tubers and other parts of plants is about 0.1 - 0.9% and 0.8% respectively. Colchicine has a strong affinity for tubulin so it is often used in biological studies and plant breeding to induce mutations that produce polyploidy individuals. Colchicine as a mutagen is used to develop the superior properties of some plants. Polyploidi plants have several advantages including larger cells, higher plants, wider leaves, larger fruits, higher production, and plants becoming more resistant to disease. Considering the role of colchicine above, the prospect of Gloriosa superba as a source of biomutagens (natural colchicine) needs to be studied and further developed.