Postharvest quality retention of Etlingera elatior cultivars under refrigeration conditions

Maria Helena Menezes Cordeiro; Leidiane Santana das Neves; Jéssica Tamara Laet Abreu; Henrique Machado de Almeida; Jhonatan Vinicius Domingos  Jahn; Rafael Benetti; Willian Krause; Celice Alexandre Silva

doi:10.1590/2447-536X.v32.e323067

Authors

Maria Helena Menezes Cordeiro Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8901-3761
Leidiane Santana das Neves Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3918-5992
Jéssica Tamara Laet Abreu Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5883-5391
Henrique Machado de Almeida Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9583-9595
Jhonatan Vinicius Domingos Jahn Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2524-2239
Rafael Benetti Instituto Federal do Mato Grosso https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3376-4069
Willian Krause Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5308-7715
Celice Alexandre Silva Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7898-7931

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/2447-536X.v32.e323067

Keywords:

Cut flowers, longevity, senescence, storage temperature, Torch ginger

Abstract

Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) is a tropical cut flower native to Southeast Asia with high ornamental value and strong production potential in tropical regions of the Americas. Commercialization of this species is limited by its relatively short shelf life, which restricts distribution to distant markets. This study evaluated the quality retention in torch ginger cultivars (‘Red Torch’, ‘Pink Torch’, ‘Porcelana’, and ‘Tulipa’) under four storage temperatures (15 ± 3, 18 ± 3, 21 ± 3, and 24 ± 3 °C) over four storage durations (1, 4, 7, and 10 days). The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design using a split-plot arrangement over time, with four replications and five stems per experimental unit. Fresh mass, inflorescence stem diameter, water uptake, and inflorescence visual quality were evaluated using a scoring scale. Data were subjected to analysis of variance, and means were compared using Tukey’s test at the 5% significance level. Refrigerated storage reduced fresh mass loss and water uptake compared with the control treatment (24 °C). Pronounced senescence symptoms in floral stems were observed at 7 and 10 days of storage, resulting in visual quality scores below 2. Storage at 15 °C resulted in greater postharvest longevity than the other temperatures evaluated, exceeding the control treatment by more than 30%, regardless of cultivar. Refrigerated storage extended the shelf life of torch ginger floral stems by reducing fresh mass loss and maintaining higher visual quality compared with the control.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

CARRERA-ALVARADO, G.; ARÉVALO-GALARZA, M.L.; VELASCO-VELASCO, J.; DE-LA-CRUZ-GUZMÁN, G.H.; SALINAS-RUÍZ, J.; BALTAZAR-BERNAL, O. Treatments to prolong the postharvest life of Heliconia wagneriana Petersenp. Ornamental Horticulturae, v.27, n.4, p.476-484, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1590/2447-536X.v27i4.2376

CARRERA-ALVARADO, G.; ARÉVALO-GALARZA, M.L.; VELASCO-VELASCO, J.; RUIZ-POSADAS, L.D.M.; SALINAS-RUÍZ, J.; BALTAZAR-BERNAL, O. Postharvest management of Heliconia psittacorum x H. spathocircinata cv. Tropics. AGRO productividad, v.13, n.12, p.99-106, 2020. https://doi.org/10.32854/agrop.v13i12.1926

CHOON, S.Y.; DING, P. Growth stages of Torch Ginger (Etlingera elatior) plant. Sains Malaysiana, v.45, n.4, 507–515, 2016.

COSTA, L.C.; ARAUJO, F.F.; RIBEIRO, W.S.; SANTOS, M.N.S.; FINGER, F.L. Postharvest physiology of cut flowers. Ornamental Horticulturae, v.27, n.3, p.374-385, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1590/2447-536X.v27i3.2372

CUNHA NETO, A.R.; PAIVA, P.D.O.; NOGUEIRA, M.R.; NASCIMENTO, A.M.P.; TIMÓTEO, C.O.; REIS, M.V. Physiological effects of pulsing on torch ginger stems. Ornamental Horticulturae, v.30, e242709, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1590/2447-536X.v30.e242709

CUNHA NETO, A.R.; PAIVA, P.D.O.; PONCE, M.M.; CALVELLI, J.V.B.; BARBOSA, S. Meta-analysis of new technologies in post-harvest of tropical flowers. Ornamental Horticulturae, v.29, n.2, p.224-237, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1590/2447-536X.v29i2.2643

DEMASI, S.; MELLANO, M.G.; FALLA, N.M.; CASER, M.; SCARIOT, V. Sensory profile, shelf life, and dynamics of bioactive compounds during cold storage of 17 edible flowers. Horticulturae, v.7, n.166, p.1-26, 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7070166

FERREIRA, E.B.; CAVALCANTI, P.P.; NOGUEIRA, D.A. ExpDes.pt: Pacote experimental designers (Português). R package version 1.22, 2021. Available at: <https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=ExpDes.pt>. Accessed on: May 6th, 2025.

GUPTA, J.; DUBEY, J.K. Factors affecting post-harvest life of flower crops. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, v.7, n.1, p.548-557, 2018. https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2018.701.065

ISMAIL, N.A.; RIDZUAN, R. Medicinal potential and health benefits of torch ginger (Etlingera elatior). Notulae Scientia Biologicae, v.15, n.4, 2023. https://doi.org/10.55779/nsb15411489

JHANJI, S.; KAUR, G.; CHUMBER, M. Deciphering flower senescence physiology: advancements in post-harvest storage and preservation techniques for enhancing longevity. The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology, v.100, n.2, p.164-195, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.2024.2404039

JAHNKE, N.J.; KALINOWSKI, J.; DOLE, J.M. Postharvest handling techniques for long-term storage of cut Tulip and Dutch Iris. HortTechnology, v.32, n.3, p.263-274, 2022. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05010-21

JITJUM, S.; YINCHAROEN, K.; HAYEEYAHYA, W.; CHEMORE, A.; RUANGRIT, T.; LAOHAPRAPANON, S. Wisdom of utilizing Zingiberaceae plants by traditional healers in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand. Plant Science Today, v.12, n.1, p.1-9, 2025. https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.4215

KALINOWSKI, J.; DOLE, J.M. Extended storage of cut flowers using sub-zero temperature. HortTechnology, v.34, n.1, p.101-105, 2024. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05315-23

NEGRELLI, W.S.; LIMA, C.S.M.; LEANDRINI, J.A.; OLIVEIRA, R.J.; BALDIN, B.K. Ácido salicílico, temperatura e períodos de armazenamento na conservação de hastes florais de gladíolo provenientes do sistema de plantio direto orgânico. Revista de Ciências Agroveterinárias, v.22, n.2, p.274-284, 2023. https://doi.org/10.5965/223811712222023274

NIRMALA, A.; VIJAYALAKSHMI, M.; KUMARI, J.A. Packaging materials and storage temperatures on shelf life of flower crops: A review. The Pharma Innovation Journal, v.12, n.7, p.1096-1099, 2023.

NOGUEIRA, M.R.; PAIVA, P.D.O.; CUNHA NETO, A.R.; REIS, M.V.; NASCIMENTO, A.M.P.; TIMOTEO, C.O. Starch-based films for Red Torch ginger inflorescences postharvest conservation. Ciência e Agrotecnologia, v.47, e017822, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-7054202347017822

RIOS-FLORIDA, L.G.; AREVALO-GALARZA, M.L.; MARTINEZ-HERNANDEZ, A.; CRUZ-HUERTA, N. Pre and postharvest treatments to reduce the chilling injury in Lilium stems. Agro Productividad, v.7, n.9, p.115-123, 2024. https://doi.org/10.32854/agrop.v17i9.3051

SEIBERT, E.; PEREIRA, P.A.; RAUPP, D.T.; CERBARO, P.F.; SANTOS, O.J.; AMORIM, C.; TOMAZELLI, D. Conservação pós-colheita de cultivares de amoreira-preta (Rubus sp.) em bandejas plásticas sob armazenamento refrigerado. Revista Iberoamericana de Tecnología Postcosecha, v.23, n.1, p.47-55, 2022.

SUN, J.; GUO, H.; TAO, J. Effects of harvest stage, storage, and preservation technology on postharvest ornamental value of cut peony (Paeonia lactiflora) flowers. Agronomy, v.12, n.230, p.1-16, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12020230

SKUTNIK, E.; RABIZA-ŚWIDER, J.; JĘDRZEJUK, A.; ŁUKASZEWSKA, A. The effect of the long-term cold storage and preservatives on senescence of cut herbaceous peony flowers. Agronomy, v.10, n.1631, p.1-14, 2020. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10111631