The effect of nitric oxide (NO) on antioxidant system and protective mechanism against oxidative stress under UV-B radiation was investigated in leaves of maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings during 3 days growth period. UV-B irradiation caused a decrease of leaf biomass including leaf length, width and weight during growth. Application of NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), significantly alleviated UV-B stress induced growth suppression. NO donor permitted the survival of more green leaf tissue preventing chlorophyll content reduction and of higher quantum yield for photosystem Ⅱ than in non-treated controls under UV-B stress, suggesting that NO has protective effect on chloroplast membrane in maize leaves. Flavonoids and anthocyanin, UV-B absorbing compounds, were significantly accumulated in the maize leaves upon UV-B exposure. Moreover, the increase of these compounds was intensified in the NO treated seedlings. UV-B treatment resulted in lipid peroxidation and induced accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in maize leaves, while NO donor prevented UV-B induced increase in the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and H2O2. These results demonstrate that NO serves as antioxidant agent able to scavenge H2O2 to protect plant cells from oxidative damage. The activities of two antioxidant enzymes that scavenge reactive oxygen species, catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in maize leaves in the presence of NO donor under UV-B stress were higher than those under UV-B stress alone. Application of 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4, 4, 5, 5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3- oxide (PTIO), a specific NO scavenger, to the maize leaves arrested NO donor mediated protective effect on leaf growth, photosynthetic pigment and free radical scavenging activity. However, PTIO had little effect on maize leaves under UV-B stress compared with that of UV-B stress alone. Nω -nitro-L-arginine (LNNA), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), significantly increased H2O2 and MDA accumulation and decreased antioxidant enzyme activities in maize leaves under UV-B stress. This demonstrates that NOS inhibitor LNNA has opposite effects on oxidative resistance. From these results it is suggested that NO might act as a signal in activating active oxygen scavenging system that protects plants from oxidative stress induced by UV-B radiation and thus confer UV-B tolerance.

The effect of freeze drying and fixatives in post-treating freeze drying on the morphological properties of the rose (Rosa hybrida L.) petal were investigated for the production of high quality of freeze dried rose. The morphology including form and color of the dried flowers of cut rose were depended on the drying methods. The drying time was extended due to their density and water content, and was shorter in the freeze drying than that in the natural and hot air drying. Freeze dried process for dried flowers took 2 days in a freeze dryer and did not cause shrinkage or toughening of rose petal being dried, preserving its natural shape and color. The diameter of freeze dried flowers showed little reduction compared to fresh flowers. In Hunter color values of petals of freeze dried flowers, L and a values were high and showed little variations in comparison to fresh petals. Freeze drying led to a noticeable increase in anthocyanin contents in petals, suggesting that anthocyanin contents play an important role in the acquisition of freezing tolerance. Exposure of flowers to freeze drying was accompanied by an increase in the carotenoid content. In the post-treating freeze drying, epoxy resin, a fixative, applied alone or in combination to petals of freeze dried flowers showed efficient coating for the protection from humidity and sunlight. Combined application of epoxy and acetone to freeze dried petals permitted maintenance of natural color and excellent tissue morphology, showing color stability and shiny texture in surface of petals. These findings suggest that application of fixatives to freeze dried rose petals improves the floral preservation and epoxy coating provides good quality in the freeze dried flower product.