TOXICITY OF PEPTIDES TO BACTERIA PRESENT IN THE VASE WATER OF CUT ROSES

The presence of bacteria in vase water greatly influences the vase lif e of cut roses. In this study, the peptides cecropin B, hordothionin a nd tachyplesin I were tested for their ability to control bacterial gr owth in the keeping solutions of cut roses. Dilution experiments clear ly showed that tachyplesin I was the most effective agent in controlli ng bacterial populations in vase water. This was confirmed when five p ure cultures of the genera Bacillus, Enterobacter and Pseudomonas, pre viously found in typical vase water, were exposed to various concentra tions of the peptides. Our data suggest that tachyplesin I, and to a l esser extent cecropin B, might be effective in controlling bacterial p opulations in the water in which roses are stored. Hence these peptide s might be powerful, environmentally friendly substitutes for the chem ical compounds added to vase waters nowadays to control bacterial grow th. Although at present these peptides are too expensive for direct ap plication, biotechnology might provide new prospects in the near futur e.