Abstract: The present study was conducted to examine the possible involvement of N- lauroylethanolamine(NAE(12:0)) in the regulation of petal-membrane senescence. The petal-membrane senescence is accompanied by a decrease in membrane phospholipids content, membrane fluidity, the index of unsaturation of fatty acids and activities of membrane enzymes, and NAE(12:0) supplementation delayed the decreases in above physiology parameters in the aging petals in Dianthus caryophyllus L. ‘Red Barbara’. Electrolyte leakage, which is a reliable indicator of petal-membrane senescence, was also postponed in NAE(12:0)-treated flowers. The data collectively suggest that the NAE(12:0)-induced delay in petal-membrane senescence involved the regulation on the degradation of phospholipids and changes of the fatty acid composition of microsomal membranes, which resulted in the less ion leakage, more fluidity of membrane and higher activities of membrane enzymes, thus preserving the integrity of the petal-membrane and delaying the initial wilting of cut carnation.

Key words: N- lauroylethanolamine, cut carnation ‘Red Barbara’ flower, membrane senescence, membranes integrity