Improving the shelf life of cut foliage through glycerinization

Abstract

Dried floral products constitute an important part of commercial floricultural industry worldwide. Different methods are used to dry different floral products but there is a need to standardize a particular method for particular floral part. In present investigation, three types of foliages {Asparagus setaceus (Asparagus), Nephrolepis exaltata (Ferns) and Grevilla robusta (Silver Oak)} were subjected to different drying techniques viz. air drying, water drying, embedding drying in sand and silica in hot air oven at 50°C and dehydration in glycerine and the results revealed glycerinization as the best method for drying foliages. Based on this finding, further studies were conducted to standardize the method and concentration (10, 20 and 40%) of glycerine for dehydrating foliage of high acceptability. All the three foliages could be dehydrated best by dipping them in 20% glycerine solution in well ventilated dark room for 7-8 days and could be used for more than six months with high acceptability score. The ease in accessibility to this drying technique will not only strengthen the utility of dehydrated foliages in floral arrangements and as gift items but will also ensure employment to youths, housewives and rural women with low inputs and high outputs.