Effects of high CO2 and low O2 on biochemical changes in cut Dendrobium orchids

Abstract

Exportation of cut flowers entails long distance transportation, and the quality of cut flowers deteriorates as the distance and transportation time increase. Low storage temperatures and modified atmosphere are commonly used to extend the life of cut flowers. As a result, this research explored the potential use of high CO2 and low O2 to prolong the shelf life of cut flowers. Specifically, this study examined the effects of high CO2 and low O2 storage on the biochemical changes in cut Dendrobium pink stripe orchid flowers. The experiments were conducted under normal and high CO2 and low O2 conditions, and results were compared. Under the normal condition, carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2) concentrations were 0.03 % and 21 %. In the high CO2 and low O2 environment, CO2 was varied between 5 and 10 %; and O2 between 2, 4, 6, and 8 %. The storage temperature and relative humidity were 13 °C and 95 %. The originality of this work is the use of high CO2 and low O2 storage environments to investigate the biochemical changes in cut Dendrobium orchid flowers. The experimental results showed that high CO2 and low O2 significantly enhanced the storage life of Dendrobium orchid flowers (p < 0.05). The longest storage life of 28.33 days was achieved under 5 % CO2 and 2 % O2 atmosphere condition, compared with 11.67 days under the normal atmosphere condition. High CO2 and low O2 storage also helped to retain total anthocyanin content while lowering fresh weight loss, respiration rate, ethylene production, protein degradation, and protease activity.