24-Epibrassinolide improves quality and antioxidant defense in cut Dendrobium ‘Khao Sanan’ flowers

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/2447-536X.v32.e322970

Keywords:

Antioxidants, brassinosteroids, cut flower, flower senescence, lipid peroxidation

Abstract

Cut flower longevity is influenced by hormonal regulation, among which brassinosteroids (BRs) play a pivotal role in enhancing the postharvest quality of floricultural crops. However, the impact of BRs on cut Dendrobium orchids remains unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the effects of 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) on the physiological responses and senescence of cut Dendrobium ‘Khao Sanan’ flowers. Flower buds were soaked in 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 µM EBL solutions for 1 h, while distilled water served as the control treatment (0 µM). Subsequently, all flowers were placed in distilled water and maintained at 25 °C. Flower quality and opening scores were determined for morphological observations. Furthermore, physiological changes were evaluated by measuring ethylene production, respiration rate, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzyme activities and capacity during and at the end of storage. The results showed that flowers treated with 2.5 and 5 µM EBL exhibited substantially lower ethylene production, respiration rate, H2O2 content, and lipoxygenase (LOX) activity, along with reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Moreover, flowers treated with 2.5 and 5 µM EBL displayed significantly higher catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities, as well as increased antioxidant capacity than the other treatments, whereas flowers treated with 20 µM EBL exhibited adverse responses, including accelerated senescence, increased oxidative damage, and reduced flower quality. This study indicates that low concentrations of EBL delayed flower senescence through enhanced antioxidant capacity, whereas high concentrations accelerated senescence. Therefore, cut Dendrobium ‘Khao Sanan’ orchids responded differentially to EBL in a concentration-dependent manner.

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Author Biographies

Chawisa Sukpitak, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok

Faculty of Applied Science, Department of Agro-industrial, Food, and Environmental Technology, Bangkok, Thailan.

Kanogwan Seraypheap, Chulalongkorn University

Faculty of Science, Department of Botany, Center of Excellence in Environment and Plant Physiology, Bangkok, Thailand.

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Published

2026-06-18

How to Cite

Sukpitak, C., & Seraypheap, K. (2026). 24-Epibrassinolide improves quality and antioxidant defense in cut Dendrobium ‘Khao Sanan’ flowers. Ornamental Horticulture, 32, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1590/2447-536X.v32.e322970

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Articles