STANDARDIZATION OF EXPORT PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY FOR JASMINE (JASMINUM SAMBAC AIT.) FLOWERS

M. Jawaharlal, S.P. Thamaraiselvi, M. Ganga
An investigation was conducted to standardize a packaging technology for export of jasmine (Jasminum sambac Ait.) flowers involving chemical treatments and use of packing boxes. The flowers were treated with different chemicals and packed in packing boxes (aluminium foil lined cardboard boxes and polypropylene boxes) and finally packaged in thermocole boxes under gel-ice cold condition. Observations were recorded on the visual quality of flowers (freshness index, flower opening index, colour retention index and fragrance score) and the physiological parameters (physiological loss in weight, moisture content, membrane integrity and respiration rate) associated with the post harvest quality of flowers. The export suitability of the package was tested with M/S. Vanguard Exports (a private exporting firm of Jasmine flowers to the United States) and the BCR (benefit cost ratio) was worked out. It was found that the chemical treatment of flowers with 4% boric acid + packing in aluminium foil lined boxes + packaging in thermocole boxes under gel-ice cold condition was found significant and recorded a shelf life of 42.88 h (including the air transit time of 36 h). This package recorded the maximum freshness index (70 to 90%), minimum flower opening index (10.5 to 50%) and maximum colour retention index (77.77 to 88.88%) of flowers. The physiological parameters also significantly influenced the shelf life of flowers in the package. The package was also found to be highly suitable for export with a BCR of 1:2.5.
Jawaharlal, M., Thamaraiselvi, S.P. and Ganga, M. (2013). STANDARDIZATION OF EXPORT PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY FOR JASMINE (JASMINUM SAMBAC AIT.) FLOWERS. Acta Hortic. 970, 81-91
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2013.970.8
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2013.970.8
Jasminum sambac, chemical treatment, packing, packaging, export suitability
English

Acta Horticulturae