Effect of microperforation on quality of modified atmosphere packaged cut rose cv. Corola

Abstract

ABSTRACT The physiological changes in cut flowers after harvest accelerates their senescence process and greatly affects the quality of cut flowers. Thus the preservation technology is a key factor in limiting the development of the cut-flower industry. The objective of the present study was to explore a new method of preserving cut roses to reduce post-harvest storage and transportation losses. Cut roses were packaged in polyethylene (PE) bags of 40 × 110 cm, with 0, 2, 6, 20, and 30 microperforations of 600 μm at 4°C. The adjustment of the number of microperforations allowed the control of gas concentrations inside the packaging, and those with 20 microperforations permitted the best quality characteristics at 4°C. The findings revealed variations in the gas environment within modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) with different numbers of micropores, which exerted diverse effects on the preservation of cut rose flowers. The MAP with 20 micropores demonstrated the most effective preservation outcome. It not only effectively maintains the antioxidant capacity, the vitality of POD, SOD, and anti-superoxide anion in cut roses but also inhibits the accumulation of H2O2 content. Additionally, it effectively maintained the storage quality by inhibiting the respiration rate, ethylene production rate, and decay rate in cut roses.