Researchers turned discarded marigold flowers from temples and markets into a safe, biodegradable colored powder (gulal, used in festivals like Holi), finding that cold storage in steel containers best preserved its color quality and antioxidant properties for up to 4 months.
1
Steel containers under cold storage (4°C) preserved the highest levels of phenolic and flavonoid compounds compared to polythene bags or ambient conditions.
2
Quality was best maintained at the 4-month storage mark, with degradation increasing at 8 and 12 months regardless of packaging.
3
Marigold cultivar 'Laddu Gainda' harvested in two seasonal windows (August and December) produced gulal with measurable differences in physico-chemical and sensory attributes.
mail
Weekly plant science — one email, Saturdays.
Check your inbox to confirm — link expires in 24 hours.
Something went wrong — please try again.
Too many signup attempts from your network. Try again in an hour, or email hello@plant.news.