Abstract
Background: African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) flowers are highly valued for their ornamental appeal as well as medicinal properties. However, their short shelf lives cause high post-harvest loss and limit their export potential. The review of patents and research articles revealed that different types of packaging designs/materials have been successfully employed for extension of shelf lives of cut flowers.
Objective: The current work focuses on designing of different packaging configurations and selection of best configuration for preservation of marigold cut flowers.
Methods: Ten packaging configurations, composed of four different packaging materials i.e., low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene terephthalate, glassine paper and cellophane paper, were designed. Each pack, consisting of 20 ± 1 g of marigold flowers along with non-packaged control set were stored at 23 ± 2°C, 80% R.H., in an environmental chamber and the flowers were evaluated for their sensory attributes, phytochemical characteristics and physicochemical parameters of senescence to determine their shelf lives.
Results: Flowers packed in LDPE bag showed highest shelf life of 8 days with a lead of 4 days compared to control (shelf life - 4 days). This study also established for the first time the phenomenon of carotenogenesis in marigold cut flowers with significantly (P<0.01) higher production of lutein in LDPE packaged flowers.
Conclusion: LDPE pack was the best design among the ten package designs, in preserving lutein content of marigold flowers and extending their shelf lives. This economically viable packaging can not only boost the export potential of this ornamental flower, but also allow utilization of nutraceutical potency of lutein.
Keywords: Packaging configurations, marigold flower, shelf life, low density polyethylene, senescence, carotenogenesis, lutein.
Graphical Abstract
Recent Patents on Biotechnology
Title:Effect of Packaging on Shelf-life and Lutein Content of Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) Flowers
Volume: 10 Issue: 1
Author(s): Sayani Pal, Probir Kumar Ghosh and Paramita Bhattacharjee
Affiliation:
Keywords: Packaging configurations, marigold flower, shelf life, low density polyethylene, senescence, carotenogenesis, lutein.
Abstract: Background: African marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) flowers are highly valued for their ornamental appeal as well as medicinal properties. However, their short shelf lives cause high post-harvest loss and limit their export potential. The review of patents and research articles revealed that different types of packaging designs/materials have been successfully employed for extension of shelf lives of cut flowers.
Objective: The current work focuses on designing of different packaging configurations and selection of best configuration for preservation of marigold cut flowers.
Methods: Ten packaging configurations, composed of four different packaging materials i.e., low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene terephthalate, glassine paper and cellophane paper, were designed. Each pack, consisting of 20 ± 1 g of marigold flowers along with non-packaged control set were stored at 23 ± 2°C, 80% R.H., in an environmental chamber and the flowers were evaluated for their sensory attributes, phytochemical characteristics and physicochemical parameters of senescence to determine their shelf lives.
Results: Flowers packed in LDPE bag showed highest shelf life of 8 days with a lead of 4 days compared to control (shelf life - 4 days). This study also established for the first time the phenomenon of carotenogenesis in marigold cut flowers with significantly (P<0.01) higher production of lutein in LDPE packaged flowers.
Conclusion: LDPE pack was the best design among the ten package designs, in preserving lutein content of marigold flowers and extending their shelf lives. This economically viable packaging can not only boost the export potential of this ornamental flower, but also allow utilization of nutraceutical potency of lutein.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Pal Sayani, Ghosh Kumar Probir and Bhattacharjee Paramita, Effect of Packaging on Shelf-life and Lutein Content of Marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) Flowers, Recent Patents on Biotechnology 2016; 10 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1872208310666160725195516
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1872208310666160725195516 |
Print ISSN 1872-2083 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 2212-4012 |

- Author Guidelines
- Bentham Author Support Services (BASS)
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers