Enhancing cut Phalaenopsis preservation by the combination of Slightly Acidic Electrolytic Water-based Preservative Solution (SAEW-PS) with Low Voltage Electrostatic Field (LVEF)

Abstract

Cut flowers are highly susceptible to post-harvest quality deterioration due to microbial contamination and dehydration. Therefore, the development of innovative preservation strategies is essential for extending vase life of cut flowers. Here, this study explored the potential of Slightly Acidic Electrolyzed Water-based Preservative Solution (SAEW-PS), in combination with Low Voltage Electrostatic Field (LVEF) treatment, to mitigate senescence in cut Phalaenopsis V3. Firstly, SAEW-PS formulations with varying available chlorine concentrations (ACC) were optimized. Results showed that SAEW-PS containing 60 mg/L ACC significantly extended the vase life by 50 % compared to the control (CK). Subsequently, the combined effects of SAEW-PS and LVEF on mitigating the quality degradation of cut Phalaenopsis were assessed over a 28-d vase period. Results demonstrated that the combined treatment (SAEW-PS + LVEF) markedly improved post-harvest quality, resulting in favorable flower appearance and increased fresh weight (18 %), flower diameter (14 %), and soluble sugar content (114 %). Concurrently, indicators of senescence such as relative conductivity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and maximum ethylene release rate were reduced by 35 %, 31 %, and 33 % respectively upon SAEW-PS + LVEF treatment; while activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD and CAT) were significantly upregulated by 67 %, 34 %, and 44 %, respectively. Furthermore, low-field NMR analysis revealed that SAEW-PS + LVEF treatment effectively suppressed water loss and influenced water migration in the petal of cut Phalaenopsis. Overall, these findings indicated that the integrated application of SAEW-PS and LVEF offers a promising approach to delaying senescence of cut Phalaenopsis, which may also be applicable to other commercially important cut flower species.