Abstract
Microbial growth in vase solutions and ethylene damage are often associated with premature senescence in cut flowers. We examined the efficacy of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extract (SC) to improve postharvest longevity and quality of two cut roses (Rosa hybrida L.) ‘Jinny’ and ‘Wild Look’ to develop an inexpensive and innocuous preservative solution for the cut flower industry. Pretreatments with 100, 200, 300, and 500 μL L−1 SC effectively extended the vase life of the cut rose cultivars. Among the tested pretreatments, 300 μL L−1 of SC was the most effective concentration and significantly prolonged the postharvest longevity of cut flowers from 11.8 days (control) to 17.4 days in ‘Jinny’ and from 13.6 (control) to 20.9 days in ‘Wild Look’. The beneficial effects of 300 μL L−1 SC pretreatment inhibited bacterial accumulation at the base of the cut stems, enhanced water uptake, and maintained initial fresh weight, positive water balance, and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) in the leaves of cut roses. In addition, 300 μL L−1 SC pretreatment suppressed the transcript levels of ethylene biosynthesis genes (RhACO1, RhACS1, RhACS3, and RhACS4) in rose petals and delayed flower senescence. The efficacy of 300 μL L−1 SC pretreatment in extending the vase life of cut roses was equal to 0.1 mM silver thiosulfate (STS), and greater than hydrosol (H), H + SC, and H + sucrose (H + Suc). Therefore, the results from our study highlight the potential of SC as an alternative preservative in the cut rose industry.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ahmadi N, Mibus H, Serek M (2009) Characterization of ethylene-induced organ abscission in F1 breeding lines of miniature roses (Rosa hybrida L.). Postharvest Biol Technol 52:260–266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2008.12.010
Bruzewicz S, Malicki A, Oszmiański J, Jaroslawska A, Jarmoluk A, Pawlas K (2006) Baicalin, added as the only preservative, improves the microbiological quality of homemade mayonnaise. Park J Nutr 15:30–33
Cheng Y, Dong Y, Yan H, Ge W, Shen C, Guan J, Liu L, Zhang Y (2012) Effects of 1-MCP on chlorophyll degradation pathway-associated genes expression and chloroplast ultrastructure during the peel yellowing of Chinese pear fruits in storage. Food Chem 135:415–422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.05.017
Doi M, Hu Y, Imanishi H (2000) Water relations of cut roses as influenced by vapor pressure deficits and temperatures. J Jpn Soc Hortic Sci 69:584–589. https://doi.org/10.2503/jjshs.69.584
Durkin D, Kuc RH (1966) Vascular blockage and senescence of the cut rose flower. Proc Am Soc Hortic Sci 89:683–688
Elhindi KM (2012) Effects of postharvest pretreatments and preservative solutions on vase life longevity and flower quality of sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus L.). Photosynthetica 50:371–379. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-012-0053-3
Fanourakis D, Carvalho SMP, Almeida DPF, van Kooten O, van Doorn WG, Heuvelink E (2012) Postharvest water relations in cut rose cultivars with contrasting sensitivity to high relative air humidity during growth. Postharvest Biol Technol 64:64–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2011.09.016
Fanourakis D, Pieruschka R, Savvides A, Macnish AJ, Sarlikioti V, Woltering EJ (2013) Sources of vase life variation in cut roses: a review. Postharvest Biol Technol 78:1–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2012.12.001
Feng QL, Wu J, Chen GQ, Cui FZ, Kim TN, Kim JO (2000) A mechanistic study of the antibacterial effect of silver ions on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. J Biomed Mater Res 52:662–668. https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-4636(20001215)52:4
Gao Z, Huang K, Yang X, Xu H (1999) Free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities of flavonoids extracted from the radix of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. BBA Gen Subj 1472:643–650. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-4165(99)00152-X
Ha STT, Lim JH, In B-C (2019) Extension of the vase life of cut roses by both improving water relations and repressing ethylene responses. Hortic Sci Technol 37:65–77. https://doi.org/10.12972/kjhst.20190007
Ichimura K, Suto K (1999) Effects of the time of sucrose treatment on vase life, soluble carbohydrate concentrations and ethylene production in cut sweet pea flowers. Plant Growth Regul 28:117–122. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1006288031997
Ichimura K, Kawabata Y, Kishimoto M, Goto R, Yamada K (2002) Variation with the cultivar in the vase life of cut rose flowers. Bull Natl Inst Flor Sci 2:9–20
Ichimura K, Fujiwara T, Yamauchi Y, Horie H, Kohata K (2005) Effects of tea-seed saponins on the vase life, hydraulic conductance and transpiration of cut rose flowers. Jpn Agric Res Q 39:115–119. https://doi.org/10.6090/jarq.39.115
In B-C, Seo JY, Lim JH (2016) Preharvest environmental conditions affect the vase life of winter-cut roses grown under different commercial greenhouses. Hortic Environ Biotechnol 57:27–37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-016-0106-9
In BC, Ha STT, Lee YS, Lim JH (2017) Relationships between the longevity, water relations, ethylene sensitivity, and gene expression of cut roses. Postharvest Biol Technol 131:74–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2017.05.003
Jędrzejuk A, Rabiza-Świder J, Skutnik E, Łukaszewska A (2016) Some factors affecting longevity of cut lilacs. Postharvest Biol Technol 111:247–255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2015.09.018
Jones RB, Hill M (1992) The effect of germicides on the longevity of cut flowers. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 118:350–354. https://doi.org/10.21273/JASHS.118.3.350
Kazuo I, Masayuki K, Ryo N, Yoshihiko K, Kunio Y (2005) Soluble carbohydrates and variation in vase-life of cut rose cultivars ‘Delilah’ and ‘Sonia’. J Hortic Sci Biotechnol 80:280–286. https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.2005.11511930
Lee YB, Kim WS (2018) Improving vase life and keeping quality of cut rose flowers using a chlorine dioxide and sucrose holding solution. Hortic Sci Technol 36:380–387. https://doi.org/10.12972/kjhst.20180037
Li BQ, Fu T, Dongyan Y, Mikovits JA, Ruscetti FW, Wang JM (2000) Flavonoid baicalin inhibits HIV-1 infection at the level of viral entry. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 276:534–538. https://doi.org/10.1006/bbrc.2000.3485
Li H, Huang X, Li J, Liu J, Joyce D, He S (2012) Efficacy of nano-silver in alleviating bacteria-related blockage in cut rose cv. Movie Star stems. Postharvest Biol Technol 74:36–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2012.06.013
Li H, Li H, Liu J, Luo Z, Joyce D, He S (2017) Nano-silver treatments reduced bacterial colonization and biofilm formation at the stem-ends of cut gladiolus ‘Eerde’ spikes. Postharvest Biol Technol 123:102–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2016.08.014
Lim JH, Choi HW, Ha STT, In B-C (2017) Greenhouse dehumidification extends postharvest longevity of cut roses in winter season. Hortic Sci Technol 35:737–746. https://doi.org/10.12972/kjhst.20170078
Liu J, Zhang Z, Joyce DC, He S, Cao J, Lv P (2009) Effects of postharvest nano-silver treatments on cut flowers. Acta Hortic 847:245–250. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2009.847.31
Lü P, Cao J, He S, Liu J, Li H, Cheng G, Ding Y, Joyce DC (2010) Nano-silver pulse treatments improve water relations of cut rose cv. Movie Star flowers. Postharvest Biol Technol 57:196–202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2010.04.003
Lukaszewska AJ, Tonecki J, Woltering EJ, Gorin N (1990) Effect of ethylene and silver thiosulfate on vase life of Sonia roses. Gartenbauwissenschaft 55:118–121
Ma N, Cai L, Lu W, Tan H, Gao J (2005) Exogenous ethylene influences flower opening of cut roses (Rosa hybrida) by regulating the genes encoding ethylene biosynthesis enzymes. Sci China C Life Sci 48:434. https://doi.org/10.1360/062004-37
Macnish AJ, Leonard RT, Nell TA (2008) Treatment with chlorine dioxide extends the vase life of selected cut flowers. Postharvest Biol Technol 50:197–207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2008.04.008
Mauromicale G, Ierna A, Marchese M (2006) Chlorophyll fluorescence and chlorophyll content in field-grown potato as affected by nitrogen supply, genotype, and plant age. Photosynthetica 44:76–82. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-005-0161-4
Martín-Diana AB, Rico D, Barry-Ryan C (2008) Green tea extract as a natural antioxidant to extend the shelf-life of fresh-cut lettuce. Innov Food Sci Emerg Technol 9:593–603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifset.2008.04.001
Maxwell K, Johnson GN (2000) Chlorophyll fluorescence—a practical guide. J Exp Bot 51:659–668. https://doi.org/10.1093/jexbot/51.345.659
Mohd. Rafdi HH, Joyce DC, Lisle A, Li X, Irving DE, Gupta M (2014) A retrospective study of vase life determinants for cut Acacia holosericea foliage. Sci Hortic 180:254–261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2014.10.020
Mor Y, Johnson F, Faragher JD (1989) Preserving the quality of cold-stored rose flowers with ethylene antagonists. HortScience 24:640–641
Mortazavi SN, Mohebbi M, Sharafi Y (2011) Effects of nanosilver and sucrose on vase life of cut rose flower (Rosa hybrida cv. 'Royal'). J Med Plants Res 5:5177–5183
Muller R, Lind-Iversen S, Stummann BM, Serek M (2000) Expression of genes for ethylene biosynthetic enzymes and an ethylene receptor in senescing flowers of miniature potted roses. J Hortic Sci Biotechnol 75:12–18
Oh SI, Lee JH, Lee AK (2018) Pretreatments and MEFI applications for improving postharvest qualitly of cut spray Rosa hybrida L. 'Lovely Lydia'. Hortic Sci Technol 36:237–244. https://doi.org/10.12972/kjhst.20180024
Park DY, Naing AH, Ai TN, Han J-S, Kang I-K, Kim CK (2017) Synergistic effect of nano-sliver with sucrose on extending vase life of the carnation cv. Edun. Front Plant Sci 8:1601. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.01601
Paulin A (1986) Influence of exogenous sugars on the evolution of some senescence parameter of petals. Acta Hortic 181:183–193. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1986.181.22
Pompodakis NE, Terry LA, Joyce DC, Lydakis DE, Papadimitriou MD (2005) Effect of seasonal variation and storage temperature on leaf chlorophyll fluorescence and vase life of cut roses. Postharvest Biol Technol 36:1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2004.11.003
Ranwala AP, Miller WB (2009) Comparison of the dynamics of non-structural carbohydrate pools in cut tulip stems supplied with sucrose or trehalose. Postharvest Biol Technol 52:91–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2008.10.004
Shan B, Cai Y-Z, Brooks JD, Corke H (2007) The in vitro antibacterial activity of dietary spice and medicinal herb extracts. Int J Food Microbiol 117:112–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2007.03.003
van Doorn WG (1989) Role of the physiological processes, microorganism, and air embolism in vascular blockage of cut rose flowers. Acta Hortic 261:27–34. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1989.261.3
van Doorn WG (1995) Vascular occlusion in cut rose flowers—a survey. Acta Hortic 45:58–66. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1995.405.6
van Doorn WG (2004) Is petal senescence due to sugar starvation? Plant Physiol 134:35–42. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.103.033084
van Doorn WG (2012) Water relations of cut flowers: an update. Hortic Rev 18:55–106. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118351871.ch2
van Doorn WG, de Witte Y (1997) Sources of the bacteria involved in vascular occlusion of cut rose flowers. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 122:263–266. https://doi.org/10.21273/JASHS.122.2.263
van Doorn WG, de Witte Y, Perik RRJ (1990) Effect of antimicrobial compounds on the number of bacteria in stems of cut rose flowers. J Appl Microbiol 68:117–122. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.1990.tb02555.x
van Doorn WG, Stigter H, de Witte Y, Boekestein A (1991) Microorganisms at the cut surface and in xylem vessels of rose stems. J Appl Bacteriol 70:34–39. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.1991.tb03783.x
van Doorn WG, de Witte Y, Harkema H (1995) Effect of high numbers of exogenous bacteria on the water relations and longevity of cut carnation flowers. Postharvest Biol Technol 6:111–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/0925-5214(94)00043-R
VBN (2014) Evaluation cards for rosa. FloraHolland, Aalsmeer
Veen H (1983) Silver thiosulphate: an experimental tool in plant science. Sci Hortic 20:211–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-4238(83)90001-8
Wang KLC, Li H, Ecker JR (2002) Ethylene biosynthesis and signaling networks. Plant Cell 14:131–151. https://doi.org/10.1105/tpc.001768
Woltering E (1987) The effects of leakage of substances from mechanically wounded rose stems on bacterial growth and flower quality. Sci Hortic 33:129–136. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-4238(87)90039-2
Wu LY, Xiao H, Zhao WJ, Sun P, Lin JK (2016) Effect of green tea extract powder on the vase-life of fresh-cut rose (Rosa hybrida L.) ‘Carola’ stems. J Hortic Sci Biotechnol 91:279–284. https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.2016.1155316
Yang SF, Hoffman NE (1984) Ethylene biosynthesis and its regulation in higher plants. Annu Rev Plant Physiol 35:155–189. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.pp.35.060184.001103
Yang Z-C, Wang B-C, Yang X-S, Wang Q, Ran L (2005) The synergistic activity of antibiotics combined with eight traditional Chinese medicines against two different strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Colloids Surf B 41:79–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2004.10.033
Zhao Q, Chen X-Y, Martin C (2016) Scutellaria baicalensis, the golden herb from the garden of Chinese medicinal plants. Sci Bull 61:1391–1398. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-016-1136-5
Acknowledgements
This study was supported by the Korean Institute of Planning and Evaluation for Technology in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (IPET), project No. 316016-4. We give thanks to the members of our lab, especially Minjung Kwon and Toan Khac Nguyen, for their assistance during harvesting and measuring of the flowers.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Suong T. T. Ha carried out the experiments, organized the data, and wrote and revised the manuscript. Yeon-Ok Jung provided SC and hydrosol solutions and contributed to the experimental design. Jin-Hee Lim designed and supervised the project.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Additional information
Communicated by Jinwook Lee, Ph.D.
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ha, S.T.T., Jung, YO. & Lim, JH. Pretreatment with Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extract improves the postharvest quality of cut roses (Rosa hybrida L.). Hortic. Environ. Biotechnol. 61, 511–524 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-020-00238-6
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13580-020-00238-6