Toxicity of peptides to bacteria present in the vase water of cut roses

Abstract

Abstract The presence of bacteria in vase water greatly influences the vase life of cut roses. In this study, the peptides cecropin B, hordothionin and tachyplesin I were tested for their ability to control bacterial growth in the keeping solutions of cut roses. Dilution experiments clearly showed that tachyplesin I was the most effective agent in controlling bacterial populations in vase water. This was confirmed when five pure cultures of the genera Bacillus, Enterobacter and Pseudomonas , previously found in typical vase water, were exposed to various concentrations of the peptides. Our data suggest that tachyplesin I, and to a lesser extent cecropin B, might be effective in controlling bacterial populations in the water in which roses are stored. Hence these peptides might be powerful, environmentally friendly substitutes for the chemical compounds added to vase waters nowadays to control bacterial growth. Although at present these peptides are too expensive for direct application, biotechnology might provide new prospects in the near future.