Effect of oligosaccharins on the vase life of lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum Raf.) cv. ‘Mariachi blue’

ABSTRACT

Lisianthus [Eustoma grandiflorum (Raf.) Shinners] is a flower which, once cut, requires vase care-solution to increase its postharvest life and quality. The objective of this project was to assess the effects of pectin-derived oligosaccharins solution (Pectimorf®) on the postharvest vase quality of lisianthus cut flowers. Six vase-solution treatments were tested using four different Pectimorf® and sucrose mixtures, one commercial vase product, and only water (control) during the entire storage period (16 days) at room temperature. Results suggest that using Pectimorf® floral stem weight increased (20% greater than control), as did quality and leaf turgidity (>commercial limit); bent neck or pedicel curvature decreased (<20°), and antioxidant enzyme activities, phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity were modified. Furthermore, Pectimorf® reduced the growth of microorganisms in the vase solutions (>98.5%) compared to control and sucrose treatment. The vase life of the lisianthus cut flowers lasted 8 days while maintaining good visual quality. Thus, the pectin-derived oligosaccharins can be used as a supplement in vase solutions to maintain the quality and postharvest vase life of lisianthus cut flowers.

Abbreviations: CAT: catalase; CFU: colony-forming units; GAE: gallic acid equivalent; POD: peroxidases; ROS: reactive oxygen species; SOD: superoxide dismutase.

KEYWORDS:

• Cut flowers
• pectin-derived oligosaccharins
• Pectimorf®
• postharvest quality
• vase solutions

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the funding provided during the study by CONACyT (778316). Authors wish to thank O. Lugo-Lugo for technical support in experimental setup and sample analyses.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the CIQA [Internal project number 6309].