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EFFECT OF SELECTED PRESERVATION TREATMENTS ON THE QUALITY OF EXOTIC FLOWERS IN FLORAL FREEZE DRYER

KrishiKosh

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Title EFFECT OF SELECTED PRESERVATION TREATMENTS ON THE QUALITY OF EXOTIC FLOWERS IN FLORAL FREEZE DRYER
 
Creator SHIRIN HIMA BINDU, E
 
Contributor MAHALAKSHMI REDDY, V
 
Subject developmental stages, drying, freezing, preservation, inorganic acid salts, alcohols, acidity, research methods, selection, dryers
EXOTIC FLOWERS, FLORAL FREEZE DRYER
 
Description Flowers have a universal appeal and they are never out of fashion. Exotic flowers that thrive naturally in tropical climatic conditions hold a special place due to their unique colours, form and exquisite beauty. Exotic flowers and plants add that extra special touch to gardens, homes, and all occasions - weddings, celebrations There is an increasing demand all over the world for the decoration of living and working places with eco-friendly things like fresh foliages and flowers. Flowers play an important role in enriching the interiors of a home or an office.
Fresh flowers need special and continuous effort to avoid their premature wilting, while they eventually fade out over a short period of time. Freeze-drying is a process that retains the colour, form, texture and appearance of any perishables. While frozen, the moisture is removed by way of vacuum. Preservation of flowers in freeze
drying process retains its pigment (colour) and structural parts (cells) and thus remains as fresh bloom for years. This study was taken up to explore the effect of selected preservation treatments on the quality of exotic flowers in floral freeze dryer.
Experimental research design was adopted for conducting the study. Floral freeze dryer available in the department was used for this research. Five varieties of exotic flowers viz., Anthurium, Bird of Paradise, Asiatic Lily, Orchid and Statice were selected through purposeful sampling method. Fresh and fully bloomed flowers suitable for freeze drying process were chemically treated with five basic and five improved compositions Flowers were transferred to freezer chamber and were allowed to freeze dry under vacuum. Processed flower were analyzed before and after experiments to know the effect of these treatments on colour, form, texture and appearance of freeze dried flowers.
It was found that the each of the chemical tested on fresh flowers reacted differently on colour, texture and appearance of flower petals. Citric acid, Sodium citrate, Cupric Sulphate and Sodium formaldehyde Sulphoxylate retained colour pigments while harsh and mild alcohols dissolved colour pigments and dehydrated the flowers. Silicone resin and fluid formed glossy shield on the surface. These outcomes proved the influence of chemicals on preservation qualities of flowers.
Experiments conducted with basic composition and improved composition on exotic flowers revealed that, each composition had different influence on flowers. Irrespective of flowers, each of the basic compositions influenced colour pigments but appeared dry and brittle while the improved compositions had an influence on their texture, form and appearance of the flowers. Composition I and II which had only three chemicals with pH value of 5.0-5.5, consisting of harsh dehydrant, urea-compound and biological fixative, retained colour of flower petals, but flower texture, form and appearance needed improvement. Composition III and IV that had 6-7 chemicals with pH value of 6.0–6.5, consisting of mild dehydrant, urea-compound, biological or tissue preservatives and biological fixatives retained colour pigments and produced acceptable results in all flowers. But Composition V with pH value of 6.5-7.0, which had group of dehydrating alcohols, biological or tissue preservatives, environmental fixers, biological fixatives, buffers, mordant‟s and modifiers were found to yield better results for retaining colour, form and appearance of all flowers. Texture which is one of the important qualities needed further improvement
Physical examination of freeze dried flowers by the experts complemented the above observations. ANOVA one way classification analysis proved the hypothesis of influence of treatments on the quality of flowers at 5% level of significance.
Flowers stored in air-tight plastic containers proved to be better than those stored by inserting in polythene covers and zip lock vacuum bags with respect to colour, form, texture and appearance of flowers. However, flowers immediately transferred to sealed display cases remained fresh and attractive. This proves the importance of proper after care for preserved flowers.
From the present study it can be concluded that there is an effect of preservation treatments on the quality of exotic flowers when freeze dried. Further research to improve the textural quality can result in near-real quality to natural flowers.
 
Date 2016-06-01T14:16:48Z
2016-06-01T14:16:48Z
2011
 
Type Thesis
 
Identifier http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/66548
 
Language en
 
Relation D8924;
 
Format application/pdf
 
Publisher ACHARYA N.G. RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY