Abstract
Cut rose, (Rosa hybrida L.) flowers were placed in half-strength of electrolyzed anode water (EAW ; pH 2.9, 26 mg·liter-1 available chlorine) to test the effect of EAW on the vase life. EAW was generated by electrolysis of an aqueous KCl solution. The flowers were placed in EAW under the lighting condition, its effect was larger than or similar to those by several commercially available preservatives. The half-strength EAW adjusted to pH 5 or 6 extended the vase life of the roses as much as that with aqueous HCl solutions (pH 2 or 3). Three days after treatment, no bacteria were detected in these test solutions. These results suggest that the effect of EAW on the vase life of cut roses is due to sterilized action by low pH and chlorine compounds such as hypochlorous acid.
