Effect of chemicals agents on postharvest
conservation of Alpinia purpurata
(Vieill) K. Schum inflorescences.
Alpinia purpurata is a tropical flower largely used
as cut flower due to the beauty and durability of the
inflorescences. The experiment was conducted to verify
the effects of inhibitors of ethylene and bactericides, on
conservation of red ginger cut flowers. The following
treatments were used: 1) distilled water, 2) 500 ppb
1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), 3) 1000 ppb 1-MCP,
4) 0,35 mL.L-1 quaternary ammonium, 5) 1 mM silver
thiosulphate. The qualitative aspects: color, turgor,
browning and inflorescences curvature were evaluated.
The 1-MCP treatment was the most promising for
preservation of red ginger cut inflorescences during 12
days of vase-life. Red gingers inflorescences were very
sensitive to STS (1 mM) and lost quality after two days
of vase-life.