Kanikah Mehndiratta, MSc., University of Glasgow
Gamma-aminobutyric acid, commonly abbreviated as GABA and Spermine are natural amino acids, with essential roles as inhibitors of neurotransmitters in the brain and cellular metabolism respectively. Post-harvesting senescence has been a major limitation in the horticulture industry towards maintaining the freshness of flowers. Chilling injury that causes the flower capitulum to turn purple or red and limp is also a side-effect of keeping cut flowers in cold storages. Such extremely low temperatures lead to petal damage and short vase life. Usage of GABA, that is the χ-aminobutyric acid and Spermine is reporting delay of gerbera flowers ageing process and can potentially alleviate chilling injury as well in the latest study published in Scientific Reports journal.
The tropical flower Gerbera
Gerbera jamesonii is a beautiful tropical plant of the Asteraceae family with shiny ray florets and short harvesting intervals. Preservation methods are essential to keep up with its demand in the horticulture industry as it suffers from a very short vase life span of only 5-8 days. Alongside storage at low temperatures, chemical agents can be used for preventing post-harvest damage. For preserving quality, cold storage seems like a good option as at high heat, studies reported Gerbera “Savana Red ” variety lasting longer when stored at lower temperatures. Heat is believed to accelerate the ageing process and the respiration rate. It can also amplify ethylene production that can lead to senescence. Lower storage temperatures can prevent bacterial infections but also slow down evapotranspiration and lower consumption of nutrients which automatically delays ageing. It could also cause organ damage. With a chilling injury, wilting and necrosis, even discolouration of flower petals, all affecting the consumer’s choice into buying the flower.
The pre-harvest treatment compounds
Spermine is a poly-cationic hydrocarbon with 4 amino groups and acts as anti-ageing by increasing cellular antioxidant capacity and decreasing ethylene production. GABA is a non-proteinaceous amino acid that provokes signalling in the situation of abiotic stresses. Also, it tends to accumulate proline, which controls post-harvest damages. It works on the GABA-shunt pathway with 3 major enzymes- glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase, and transaminase. Under abiotic stress such as the cut flowers chilling in cold storage, the GAD enzyme activity helps in maintaining an acidic cytosol pH.
Research methodology
The study included the cut ‘Stanza’ gerbera variety with a vase life of 15-22 days, with 22 when kept at 1.5°C. The major observations from the conducted experiments were the samples labelled as ‘control’ (water-sprayed flowers) stayed fresh up to 15 days post-harvesting. The treatment with GABA increased this life span by 6-7 days without showing any chilling injuries. A Spermine treatment on a different sample also contributed to an increase in lifespan making flowers last fresh for 19 days at 1.5°C. At 8°C, the result was the opposite for both the pre-harvesting treatments. The control samples showed severe neck bending instead.
Conclusion
The water sprayed controls showed the maximum content of Proline and H2O2. The free Proline content must have decreased in the treated samples, thus slowing down senescence. This study successfully concludes that exposure with GABA and Spermine sprays proves effective in increasing the vase life of gerbera flowers. Cooling the stems down at about 1°C just after harvesting can also help prevent chilling injuries. These approaches could be effectively applied at the agricultural level to experience better flower quality.
Also read: The journey that led to the discovery of Bryum bharatiensis
References:
1. Mohammadi, M., Aelaei, M., & Saidi, M. (2020). Pre-harvest and pulse treatments of spermine, γ- and β-aminobutyric acid increased antioxidant activities and extended the vase life of gerbera cut flowers ‘Stanza.’ Ornamental Horticulture, 26, 306–316. https://doi.org/10.1590/2447-536X.v26i2.2120
2. Aelaei, M., Mirzaabolghasemi, M., Kheiry, A., & Ghahremani, Z. (2021). Effect of γ-aminobutyric acid and spermine on morphophysiological traits and pigmentation of Rosa damascena Mill. . Iranian Journal of Horticultural Science, 52(1), 47–60. https://doi.org/10.22059/ijhs.2019.272763.1575
Author info:
Kanikah Mehndiratta is an avid researcher in the field of Genetics with a background in Biotechnology. She is a postgraduate from the University of Glasgow in their Medical Genetics and Genomics program. Currently, based in Chandigarh as a Scientific Writer, she involves herself mainly in projects related to neurological disorders. Outside of academics, she likes to read novels, travel and is involved in volunteer work mostly.
LinkedIn profile- https://www.linkedin.com/in/kanikah-mehndiratta-301830171
Some of her publications at BioXone are:
2.https://bioxone.in/news/worldnews/iga-virus-immune-complex-neutrophils-trap-for-sars-cov-2/
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