Post harvest physiology and quality of heliconia inflorescence cv. Golden Torch as influenced by antioxidants

Effects of vase solutions comprising of 8-HQC, sucrose, calcium chloride, α-lipoic acid, sodium benzoate, spermine, citric acid and commercially available surfactant on post harvest quality and life of heliconia inflorescence were investigated. Vase solution treatments, T₄ (α-lipoic acid 100 mg/l + 8-HQC 250 mg/l + sucrose 3%) and T₆ (Spermine 100 mg/l + 8-HQC 250 mg/l + sucrose 3%) effectively increased water uptake and retained fresh weight of heliconia inflorescence and maintained pigment (carotene) in the bracts. The same treatments also reduced the levels of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) enzymatic activities, decreased the lipid peroxidation (measured as TBARS) and improved per cent absolute integrity (PAI) in the bract. Maximum vase-life was recorded in heliconia inflorescence held in vase solution comprising of α-lipoic acid 100 mg/l + 8-HQC 250 mg/l + sucrose 3% followed by spermine 100 mg/l and CaCl₂ 250 mg/l along with 8-HQC 250 mg/l + sucrose 3%.