Effects of Plasma Activated Water on the Postharvest Quality of ‘Siberia’ Lily

This study was carried out to determine the effect of plasma activated water (PAW) on the postharvest quality of Lilium Oriental Hybrid cv. Siberia. Time-dependent concentration of hydrogen peroxide generated by underwater plasma apparatus was measured. Plasma activated water containing hydrogen peroxide was used as preservative solution and concentration of hydrogen peroxide was 300, 600, and 900 μM (PAW300, PAW600, and PAW900), respectively. The amount of hydrogen peroxide in the plasma activated water increased with increasing the discharge time. Plasma activated water extended flower longevity of ‘Siberia’ lily more than control. The results of this study show that PAW600 caused an increase in flower longevity, maximum flower diameter, and water uptake. The decline of fresh weight, loss of leaf relative water, and loss of leaf chlorophyll content were also reduced by PAW600 treatment. With increasing the discharged time, the microbial growth in the preservative solution was effectively suppressed, which depends on the concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the plasma activated water. In conclusion, PAW600 treatment could extend flower longevity by suppressing microbial growth in the preservative solution. Therefore, it was concluded that the use of PAW600 as a preservative solution was effective in improving the postharvest quality of cut lily flowers.