Postharvest GABA Application Effects on Some Biochemical Characteristics of <i>Anthurium</i> Cut Flowers under Cold Storage Conditions

Abstract

Chilling damage under 15ºC in anthurium cut flowers reduces the vase-life, quality and marketability of the product. In the present experiment, GABA postharvest treatment (0, 1 and 5 mM) was studied on the vase-life, total soluble solid (TSS), H₂O₂content, proline content, spathe browning, catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes activity of <em>Anthurium andraeanum</em> 'Sirion' during 10 days of storage at 10 ºC and 5 ºC. The results revealed that 1 mM GABA treatment at 10 ºC was the treatment of choice considering the vase-life. GABA treatment had no special effect on reducing the browning incidence. GABA at 5 mM increased the SOD activity. Furthermore, GABA reduced H₂O₂ levels compared to control untreated flowers. Moreover, under chilling stress, proline was the highest with GABA treated flowers. One mM treated GABA treatments hold higher catalase activity. The highest TSS belonged to 5 mM GABA under 5ºC.