Lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) improved the vase life of cut gerbera flowers

The post-harvest quality and vase life of cut gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii Bolus ex. Hooker) flowers are critical quality parameters that affect their marketability and consumer satisfaction. This study was conducted to determine the effects of vase solutions containing different ratios of lysophosphatidyl ethanolamine (LPE), streptomycin, citric acid, and sucrose on vase life, water uptake, fresh weight change, phenolic compounds, and oxidative stress responses. In addition to morphological parameters, biochemical markers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were examined to evaluate the antioxidant defense mechanisms in the flowers. Among the treatments, the T9 group (1 ppm LPE + 200 mg L^-1 streptomycin + 200 mg L^-1 citric acid + 5% sucrose) and the T10 group (2 ppm LPE + 200 mg L^-1 streptomycin + 200 mg L^-1 citric acid + 5% sucrose) stood out as the most effective treatments, exhibiting the highest vase life, water uptake, and lowest MDA content. In contrast, the highest POD and MDA levels were detected in the T6 treatment (2 ppm LPE). Although no statistically significant difference was observed in CAT activity, the high average values in the 200 mg L^-1 citric acid treatment (T4) suggest that it may play a role in H₂O₂ detoxification. Additionally, increases in secondary metabolite levels such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and total antioxidant activity were observed throughout the vase life, indicating that the plant synthesizes these compounds as a defense against oxidative stress during the aging process. The findings suggest that LPE, when used in combination with antibacterial and metabolic support agents, offers an effective strategy for extending the vase life of cut flowers by reducing oxidative damage.