Program and Abstracts International Society for Horticultural Science Postharvest Unlimited May 23-26, 2011 Leavenworth, WA USA
Effect of malic acid on antioxidant activity, membrane stability and ACC-oxidase activity in relation to vase life of carnation cut flowers M. Kazemi, E. Hadavi, J. Hekmati Department of Horticulture Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch, Iran Corresponding author:
[email protected] The role of malic acid in the regulation of senescence and ethylene production was examined in cut carnations. The study was conducted in a factorial arrangement, carried out in a complete randomized design. The factors -1 were malic acid (0, 100 ,150 mg L ) and sucrose (0 or 3%).The effects of malic acid on the total chlorophyll, ACCoxidase activity, anthocyanin leakage, membrane stability and malondialdehyde (MDA) content of cut carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) were investigated. The results showed that malic acid treatments increased the vase life and decreased the percentage of wilting compared with the control. In addition, the vase life was no longer when -1 sucrose was applied in combination with malic acid. The vase solution containing 150 mg L malic acid significantly -1 increased vase life compared with the control. Cut flowers in a vase solution containing 150 mg L malic acid also had lower MDA content and ACC-oxidase activity and significantly better membrane stability. Results suggest that malic acid increased vase life by increasing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity of the carnation cut flowers.
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