2,4-Pyridinedicarboxylic Acid Prolongs the Vase Life of Cut Flowers of Spray Carnations

Abstract

2,4-Pyridinedicarboxylic acid (PDCA) is a structural analog of 2-oxoglutarate and has been shown to inhibit 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases by competing with 2-oxoglutarate, and ethylene production in detached carnation flowers by competing with ascorbate on 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) oxidase action. In the present study, the inhibition of ACC oxidase action by PDCA was confirmed with a recombinant enzyme produced in Escherichia coli from carnation DcACO1 cDNA. PDCA had various effects on ethylene production in cut 'Light Pink Barbara (LPB)' carnation flowers; ethylene production was accelerated or delayed in some flowers, whereas it did not change in others as compared to untreated control flowers. This varied action of PDCA may be caused by its possible combined actions; that is, inhibition of ACC oxidase action as well as its action on unidentified biochemical processes which use 2-oxoglutarate as a co-substrate, such as the biosynthesis and inactivation of gibberellins. Meanwhile, PDCA treatment significantly prolonged the vase life of bunches of cut 'LPB' carnation flowers; the magnitude of the extension of vase life was 53, 111, and 135% at 0.3, 1, and 2 mM PDCA, respectively, as compared with the non-treated control. Also, PDCA lengthened the vase life of 'Mule' carnation flowers. The present findings suggest the potential of PDCA as a preservative for cut flowers of spray carnations.

Promotion of root elongation by pyridinecarboxylic acids known as novel cut flower care agents

“…However, the mechanism of these diverse effects of PCA and PDCA analogs remain unknown. Previously, 2,4-PDCA was shown to inhibit the activity of prolyl-4-hydroxylase by acting as a structural analog of 2-oxoglutarate, the co-substrate of the enzyme (Vlad et al 2010), and that of ACC oxidase by acting as a possible structural analog of ascorbate, the co-substrate of the enzyme (Vlad et al 2010, Satoh et al 2014. Moreover, aconitase has been reported to be inactivated markedly by 2,6-PDCA, but not by 2,3-, 2,4-, and 2,5-PDCA (Murakami et al 2007).…”

“…This action of 2,4-PDCA was later confirmed with spraytype carnation flowers, such as 'Light Pink Barbara (LPB)', which have a main stalk with several offshoots, each having one or two flowers at their tips (Satoh et al 2014). Then, Sugiyama and Satoh (2015) revealed that PDCA analogs, including 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4-and 3,5-PDCA, could accelerate flower bud opening in addition to prolong the vase life of spray-type carnation flowers.…”

“…Satoh et al (2014) hypothesized on the association of gibberellin (GA) with the promoting action of 2,4-PDCA on flower bud opening in cut flowers of spray-type carnation. This hypothesis arose from the notion that 2,4-PDCA is a structural analog of 2-oxoglutarate, which is a co-substrate for enzymes acting in GA biosynthesis and inactivation, such as GA 3β-dioxygenase (GA 3β-hydroxylase), GA-44 dioxygenase, and GA 2β-dioxygenase (GA 2β-hydroxylase) (Hedden and Kamiya 1997, Lange et al 1994a, b, Smith and MacMillan 1984, 1986.…”

“…T h e n , Fragkostefanakis et al (2013) showed that 2,4-PDCA inhibited the in vitro activity of ACC oxidase prepared from tomato pericarp tissues. Satoh et al (2014) also showed that 2,4-PDCA inhibited ACC oxidase action using a recombinant enzyme produced in Escherichia coli cells from the carnation ACC oxidase gene (DcACO1 cDNA). These observations supported the hypothesis that 2,4-PDCA inhibits ACC oxidase action in carnation flowers and reduces ethylene production.…”

Pyridinedicarboxylic Acids Prolong the Vase Life of Cut Flowers of Spray-type ‘Light Pink Barbara’ Carnation by Accelerating Flower Opening in Addition to an Already-known Action of Retarding Senescence

“…The effect of ethylene on flower senescence can be diminished by treating flowers with inhibitors of ethylene biosynthesis or action. Satoh et al (2014) have discussed several examples of such chemicals, which have been tested in trials or used practically in the flower industry. Treatment with these inhibitors prolongs the vase life of cut carnation flowers as well as other ethylene-sensitive ornamental flowers.…”