The vase life of cut flowers is relatively short, prompting the need for environmentally friendly strategies to extend their commercial longevity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of plant extracts from Moringa olifera L., Foeniculum vulgare, and, Trachyspermum on prolonging the vase life of cut Dianthus caryophyllus L. flowers as natural preservatives. Due to their natural origin and lack of environmental hazards, these extracts were selected and tested. After preparation of the herbal extracts, treatments at the desired concentrations were applied in a completely randomized design with three replications. Results showed that treatments with 500 mg/L of Moringa olifera L., Foeniculum vulgare, and, Trachyspermum extracts significantly increased vase life and improved morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits of cut carnations postharvest. These extracts maintained catalase and peroxidase enzyme activities, reducing stress by lowering ion leakage and malondialdehyde content, while sustaining higher anthocyanin levels in flowers. The phenolic content, flavonoid concentration, and antioxidant activity were also enhanced by the treatments. Moreover, 500 mg/L extract treatments reduced microbial populations compared to the control. Among the treatments, Moringa olifera L.extract exhibited superior effects on improving qualitative and quantitative flower characteristics during storage compared to Foeniculum vulgare, and, Trachyspermum, although it showed no significant difference from 200 mg/L 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate. Therefore, these plant extracts, especially Moringa olifera L., can be proposed as natural alternatives to chemical preservatives in extending the shelf life of cut carnations.
Salari M, Soleimanizadeh M, Etemadipoor R. Evaluating the Effect of Plant Extracts (Moringa olifera L., Foeniculum vulgare, and, Trachyspermum) and 8-Hydroxyquinoline Citrate on Improving the Characteristics of Dianthus caryophyllus L. Cut Flowers after Harvesting. IJHST 2024; 25 (4) :537-556 URL: http://journal-irshs.ir/article-1-707-en.html