The action of 8-hydroxyquinoline and chlorine in the durability of the postharvest torch ginger variety Red Torch

It had as objective to evaluate the effect of 8-hydroxyquinoline and chlorine, isolated and mixed in and conservation of the stem stick of the emperor. Twenty of the stem torch ginger (Etlingera elatior), variety Red Torch were harvested, transported, and immersed in standardized solutions containing biocides for 48 hours. The biocide used were 100 mg L-1 of chlorine; 250 mg L-1 of 8-(HQC); 500 mg L-1 of 8-(HQC) and 50 mg L-1 of chlorine + 50 mg L-1 of 8-(HQC), the control corresponded to water. The stems stay immersed in water for nine days at 20 ± 4 ºC. Every 24 hours, the water in the container was replaced. During nine days, some measurements were realized of pH of the water in which the stems stay immersed, in the same way, it was measured the consumption/loss volume of the water for each 24 hours in the containers. The stems were weighed and also samples were taken from the base of the stems and pear ligule determination of peroxidase activity. In general, the use of solutions of 8-(HQC), 250 and 500 mg L-1, make easier the flux of water in the vases, measured by the consumption of water; provided lower peroxidase activity at the base, independent of the pH of the solution and maintained lower peroxidase activities in the ligule. Thus, with the results obtained, it demonstrated promise the use of 8-(HQC), in the highest concentrations tested (250 and 500 mg L-1) for quality maintenance of cut stems of Etlingera elatior, variety Red Torch.