Abstract The vase life of industrial cut flowers is relatively short and hence seeking eco-friendly strategies to extend its commercially needed. This research was consequently undertaken to study either moringa leaf extract (MLE) or moringa seed extract (MSE) can be applied as a natural preservative to prolong the vase life of cut roses. Both applications were selected and tested because they are natural and have no environmental hazards. Cut flowers of Rosa hybrida cv. ‘Upper Class’ were overnight pulsed in either MLE or MSE at 1:40, 1:30, 1:20, 1:10 (extract/water, v/v) and then transferred to distilled water. The vase life was significantly extended by MLE or MSE, more so with 1:30 and 1:20 extracts. Both MLE and MSE resulted in 8 and 5 days, respectively, longer than the untreated flowers. Pulsing with MLE or MSE significantly maintained the relative water content (RWC) and suppressed the microbial growth at the stem base. However, although SEM investigation showed few bacteria on the cut ends of the flowering stems pulsed with MLE or MSE even on day 5, there was no visual bacterial blockage observed in the xylem vessels. Contrary, the cut ends of untreated flowers were completely covered with bacterial cells and a lot of bacteria were detected inside the xylem vessels. SEM investigation also revealed that MLE or MSE treatment reduced the stomatal aperture which was widely opened in untreated flowers. Additionally, MLE or MSE pulsing increased proline content, reduced H2O2 production and lipid peroxidation, enhanced total phenol content, radical scavenging and the activity of CAT and POX enzymes, which altogether resulted in maintained membrane stability. Expression of RhPIP1, RhTIP1 and RhLAC genes were considerably induced in control samples up to day 4 relative to MLE or MSE treated flowers, but no significant difference was observed between both moringa extracts in this respect. In conclusion, MLE or MSE treatment extended the vase life of cut roses via keeping water relations and enhancing the antioxidant machinery, the impact was more pronounced with MLE. Therefore, MLE as a novel preservative is recommend for future using in floral industry.

中文翻译：

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辣木提取物通过维持水分关系和增强抗氧化机制，延长了切花玫瑰的花瓶寿命

摘要 工业切花的瓶插寿命相对较短，因此寻求环保策略以延长其商业需求。因此，本研究旨在研究辣木叶提取物 (MLE) 或辣木籽提取物 (MSE) 可用作天然防腐剂，以延长切花玫瑰的瓶插寿命。选择和测试这两种应用是因为它们是天然的，没有环境危害。Rosa hybrida cv 的切花。“上等”在 MLE 或 MSE 中以 1:40、1:30、1:20、1:10（提取物/水，v/v）脉冲过夜，然后转移到蒸馏水中。MLE 或 MSE 显着延长了花瓶寿命，1:30 和 1:20 提取物更是如此。MLE 和 MSE 分别比未处理的花长 8 天和 5 天。用 MLE 或 MSE 脉冲显着保持了相对含水量 (RWC) 并抑制了茎基部的微生物生长。然而，尽管 SEM 调查显示即使在第 5 天用 MLE 或 MSE 脉冲的开花茎的切端上也几乎没有细菌，但在木质部血管中没有观察到可见的细菌堵塞。相反，未经处理的花的切端完全被细菌细胞覆盖，并且在木质部血管内检测到大量细菌。SEM 调查还显示，MLE 或 MSE 处理减少了未处理花中广泛开放的气孔孔径。此外，MLE 或 MSE 脉冲增加脯氨酸含量，减少 H2O2 产生和脂质过氧化，提高总酚含量，清除自由基以及 CAT 和 POX 酶的活性，这完全导致保持膜稳定性。相对于 MLE 或 MSE 处理的花，RhPIP1、RhTIP1 和 RhLAC 基因的表达在对照样品中被显着诱导，直到第 4 天，但在这方面，两种辣木提取物之间没有观察到显着差异。总之，MLE 或 MSE 处理通过保持水分关系和增强抗氧化机制来延长切花玫瑰的花瓶寿命，MLE 的影响更明显。因此，建议将 MLE 作为一种新型防腐剂用于未来花卉行业。MLE 或 MSE 处理通过保持水分关系和增强抗氧化机制来延长切花玫瑰的花瓶寿命，MLE 的影响更为明显。因此，建议将 MLE 作为一种新型防腐剂用于未来花卉行业。MLE 或 MSE 处理通过保持水分关系和增强抗氧化机制来延长切花玫瑰的花瓶寿命，MLE 的影响更为明显。因此，建议将 MLE 作为一种新型防腐剂用于未来花卉行业。