While the demand for edible flower is on the increase , the challenge for its elaboration remain with the limited post - harvest ledge life of this ticklish product . Once harvested the perishable peak tissue start to dehydrate compromising its appearing . enquiry also pointed out that its nutritional value , the antioxidant cognitive content rapidly lessen .
The variety show of eatable flowers continuously expound , however among the most popular are the zucchini ( Cucurbita pepo ) blossoms , male or female . The shiny yellowish colouring material , soft and delicate grain , more or less sweet flavor of courgette flowers has made them a favorite ingredient in the U.S.A. , Europe and Asia . The male flower is usually pocket-size in its overall sizing and it has a myopic theme and the female flower often has a young zucchini ( sister zucchini ) attached to it . These peak can be corrode raw as a garnish or chopped and added to salad . Gourmet eating house also service it stuffed with herb and high mallow , fried or bake until the delicate flower petal become crispy .
Researchers set the grounding for long shelf - life and nutrition time value retentionSeveral research study conducted in late years evaluated the issue of storage under control atmosphere ( CA ) on physicochemical parameters and antioxidant compounds contents of these bloom . flower were stored at 5 ° C under various Oxygen - Carbon dioxide - nitrogen combinations . Compared with the dominance ( 20 % O2 , 0 % CO2 and 80 % N2 ) , the CA treatments showed better retention of various parameters related to freshness and delayed senescence . Stored under downcast O2 and gamy CO2 concentrations , thus reducing respiration rate , lessen enzymatic activity and diminish the changes relate with senescence , in high spirits total sugars and soluble solids , less weight loss and higher amount of ascorbic acid , polyphenols and carotenoid were documented . The exposure to the good gasolene combination was demonstrated to prolong postharvest living in crush flowers up to 16 days .
Turning possibility into practiceUsing these research finding and to the request of a renown edible blossom grower , Dr. Wentao Jia , ROP ’s polymer engineer together with her colleague , postharvest specialist Shay Zeltzer , initiated a set of lab and field trials aimed at engineering the film most suitable for developing those condition which were cover to protect the freshness of flower . promotion that reduces internal respiration - rate and works metabolism .
" We were request to develop a publicity for packing of single distaff bloom or two manlike flowers per packaging , " says Dr. Jia . " The annual capacity expect to be pack dictated that the film developed should operate on a horizontal rate of flow - pack political machine . With sustainability in mind , we were looking to engineer the down in the mouth - bore plastic film possible that could still track down smoothly and efficiently on the stream - pack automobile . The small bio - pile pack represent a challenge of its own , add together Zeltzer . The existing film used by the industry are BOPP based that are laser punch . We ’ve larn that these could not allow for the construction of the required beneficial gas composition inside the bag . It was clear that we ’ll have to detain forth from the various perforation options as the natural respiration of such a small bio - mass will not be able to alter the atmosphere inside the cup of tea . "
The follow chart presents the air created inside the purse made of the motion picture develop by ROP ( firm bar ) vs. the commercial-grade , laser - perforated , BOPP film ( stripped bars ) . While the O2 / CO2 composing inside the commercial bag was very close to the atmospheric conditions , the handbag developed by ROP was show to tolerate for reducing the O2 and increasing the CO2 to the note value urge by the academic inquiry .
Freshness and quality parameters preservedAs expect the abridge internal respiration pace resulted in delayed manifestation of agedness - link up phenomena . With the female flowers , within seven to nine days from packing , the flowers packed in the micro - perforated BOPP film became dark in color , indicatory of an aging tissue ; it developed pee - soaked areas appeared as obscure translucent patches on the petals , lead off from the bound . Also , the overall intro of the flower petal of these flowers looked wilted .
Fig . 1 : Female zucchini flower 9 solar day after packing in ROP MA bag ( left ) and commercial BOPP micro - punctured bag ( right ) . The flower on the right becomes darker and wilted revelatory of an aging tissue . ageing related phenomena are retarded in the peak on the left ( ROP bag ) .
Male flower tested had an overall long shelf life than the distaff flower . difference in the development of the senescence - related phenomenon noted about 12 daytime after packing .
Fig . 2 : Male courgette bloom 12 days after throng in ROP MA bag ( bequeath ) and commercial BOPP micro - perforated traveling bag ( right ) . Wilting and darken colour at the edges of the petal for the efflorescence is indicative of advanced aging comparison to the bloom in ROP purse that is lighter in color testify no wilt .
The flowers were further kept in stale computer storage at 2 ° C for another 10 days when the differences between the conditions of the flowers in the two promotional material tested were not questionable .
Fig . 3 : Male zucchini flower 21 days after pile in ROP MA bag ( left ) and commercial BOPP micro - pierced bag ( right ) . accomplished disintegration of the blossom tissue is observe with the bloom packed in the commercial BOPP bag , while the flower in ROP pocketbook is starting to show some aging indications at the boundary of the petals . go commercial and next stepROP ’s film for male and distaff courgette flowers is already in commercial-grade use since two months ago . G of travelling bag being ship by cross Atlantic air - freight strengthens the confidence with the advantages of the promotion developed . " We ’re looking forward to expand our line of product for the edible flowers class including roseate flower petal , viola tri - color and genus Nasturtium " , conclude Zeltzer .
For more entropy : Shay ZeltzerTel : +972 - 52 - 2708903Email:[email protected]www.rop - ltd.com
