Vol. 13 No. 3
An approach to color preservation of some dehydrated flowers and foliages
Author(s): M. Malakar, P. Acharyya and S. Biswas
Abstract: The everlasting appetite of eco-friendly natural plant materials to embellish breathing and functioning areas is corroborated. Thus, we have endeavored to preserve the glory and hues of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. (Yellow) and Gaillardia pulchella Foug. cv. ‘Red plume’ (dark red) and foliages of Asparagus plumosus Baker. Identical shape, size and colored samples were subjected to dehydration of 3, 5 and 7 days; 2,4,6,7 and 9 days; and 1,2,3 and 4 days for chrysanthemum, asparagus and Gaillardia sp. respectively in silica gel under ambient and microwave-oven condition and glycerin: water @ 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 and 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 for flowers and foliage were utilized as pulsing and 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40mins of absorption followed by alike mode of drying. 68.1, 79.21 and 58.17 percent moisture loss by 60, 120 and 180 seconds treatment under silica gel embedded microwave drying condition were utmost. Glycerin: water@ 2:1 and 1:2 both as pulsing and 5mins absorption could retain all physicochemical properties of two annual flowers and foliage after 1, 2 and 3mins of microwave drying. Treated materials by eosin yellow, red and bromocresol green dye used @ 2ml per 100 ml of standardized glycerin-water showcased competent outcomes irrespective of all samples.
Download Full Article: Click Here