JPH06145002A - Agent for preserving freshness of cut flower and method for preserving freshness - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the safe and inexpensive freshness-holding agent capable of beautifully and freshly holding flowers for long periods in a small amount. CONSTITUTION:The freshness-holding agent for cut flowers is characterized by containing the water-soluble salt of sorbic acid; and the method for holding the freshness of the cut flowers is characterized by immersing the cut flowers in an aqueous solution containing the water-soluble salt of the sorbic acid.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a freshness-retaining agent for cut flowers, and more specifically, a freshness-retaining agent for cut flowers in flower shops and households, which is prepared by adding the freshness-retaining agent to water. The present invention relates to a freshness-retaining agent capable of retaining cut flowers and fresh flowers in a beautiful and vivid state for a long period of time by immersing the cut end.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a drug having a freshness-retaining effect on cut flowers, those having the following effects are known. Prevention of spoilage by bacteria Suppression and removal of ethylene gas (which has a growth-promoting effect) Growth inhibition (inhibition of growth hormone in plants) Shrinks pores and suppresses water transpiration Promotes or smoothes water absorption from the cut end Nutrient supply Freshness preservation methods that have been used for a long time also expect one of the above effects, for example, frequent water exchange to prevent spoilage and smooth absorption of water from the cut end. Methods such as pruning stems in water, crushing cut ends, and baking have been devised. However, all of them were troublesome, and the freshness preservation effect was not so high.

In recent years, various freshness-retaining agents that have been developed with an increase in demand for cut flowers are combinations of agents that exert one or more of the effects described above.
The following drugs having the respective effects of are known. Fungicide, antiseptic; sodium hypochlorite, aluminum sulfate STS (mixture of silver nitrate and Na thiosulfate) benzyladenine, kinetin abscisic acid surfactant; polyoxyethylene lauryl ether,
SDS saccharides, phosphoric acid, and other than these, phytic acid present in plant seeds (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-204112), derived from microorganisms, is known to have a freshness-retaining effect, although the mechanism of maintaining freshness is unknown. Chemicals such as kojic acid (JP-A-2-42001) are known.

[0004]

However, the life-prolonging effect on cut flowers of commercially available products in which these known agents are combined is unsatisfactory and is not satisfactory. Therefore, a freshness-retaining agent for cut flowers, which has a high life-prolonging effect on cut flowers, is safe and hygienic, and is low in cost, has been desired.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a result of intensive research to develop a freshness-retaining agent for cut flowers that can obtain a better life-prolonging effect, the freshness-retaining agent containing a water-soluble salt of sorbic acid makes cut flowers more beautiful,
They have found that they can be kept in a more vivid state for a long time, and have completed the present invention. Therefore, the present invention relates to a freshness-retaining agent for cut flowers, characterized by containing a water-soluble salt of sorbic acid as an active ingredient, and a cut flower characterized by immersing cut flowers in an aqueous solution containing a water-soluble salt of sorbic acid. A method for maintaining freshness. Sorbic acid and its salts are known as preservatives added to foods.

The structure of the present invention will be described in detail below. The cut flowers referred to in the present invention refer to those that are pruned from an appropriate part of a plant having flowers and mainly intended for transportation / preservation, and fresh flowers are pruned stems, branches, leaves and flowers as appropriate, mainly It refers to something for viewing. In the present invention, both are collectively referred to as cut flowers hereinafter. The types of flowers that can be used with the freshness-retaining agent for cut flowers of the present invention include all flowers that become cut flowers, such as roses, carnations and chrysanthemums. The water-soluble salt of sorbic acid used in the present invention may be those commercially available as reagents, food additives, etc., and potassium salts, sodium salts and the like are preferable.

When a cut flower is immersed in an aqueous solution containing a water-soluble salt of sorbic acid, the concentration of these active ingredients in the aqueous solution is
Final dilution concentration 0.0001 to 0.1% by weight (hereinafter,%
Is displayed), and 0.001 to 0.01% is particularly preferable. If the concentration is less than 0.0001%, there is no effect and 0.1
If it exceeds%, the effect is not improved, and further it may cause phytotoxicity. As an aspect of using a water-soluble salt of sorbic acid as a freshness-keeping agent for cut flowers, for example,
Is mentioned. A powder of a water-soluble salt of sorbic acid or a concentrated solution is dissolved in water or diluted with water. A powder of a water-soluble salt of sorbic acid or a concentrated solution thereof is dissolved in water or diluted with water together with other freshness-retaining agents. A mixed powder of a powder of a water-soluble salt of sorbic acid and another drug having a freshness-keeping effect is dissolved in water. A concentrated solution containing a powder of a water-soluble salt of sorbic acid and another drug having a freshness-retaining effect is diluted with water. The cut end of the cut flower may be dipped in the aqueous solution prepared in any of above.

The water-soluble salt of sorbic acid is effective as an aqueous solution alone, but the effect can be expected to be further improved by using it together with a conventionally known freshness-retaining agent. Known agents to be used in combination include, for example, sodium hypochlorite, aluminum sulfate, STS, benzyladenine, kinetin, abscisic acid, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether, SDS, sugars, phosphoric acid, and the like. It is not limited to. For example, the amount of sugar used as a nutrient source is 0.5-10 at the final concentration.
% Is appropriate, and the amount of aluminum sulphate used as a bactericide is preferably about 0.01 to 1% at the final concentration. When used in combination with other agents, it is preferable to appropriately adjust the addition amount of the water-soluble salt of sorbic acid, in consideration of phytotoxicity particularly on cut flowers.

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples.

[Example 1] As a test material, untreated roses were directly purchased from a producer. The basic formulation (compounding the freshness-retaining agent excluding the water-soluble salt of sorbic acid) and its final dilution concentration in the aqueous solution are as follows. ───────────────── Sucrose 2% Aluminum sulfate 0.1% ───────────────── (Examples 1-1 to 1-1) 1-4) To the above basic composition, a predetermined amount of potassium sorbate was added so as to obtain the final dilution concentration shown in Table 1 below to prepare a freshness-preserving agent sample. This was dissolved in 1 liter of water to give an aqueous solution.

[Comparative Example 1] Water only

[Comparative Example 2] Basic composition only

Comparative Example 3 Commercially available freshness-keeping agent for cut flowers manufactured by Company A

Comparative Example 4 Commercially available freshness-keeping agent for cut flowers manufactured by Company B

Comparative Example 5 0.006% potassium benzoate aqueous solution

Comparative Example 6 0.002% aqueous solution of potassium benzoate

[0010]

[Table 1] Test area Basic composition presence / absence Sorbate concentration% (Note) Comparative example 1 No 0 2 Yes 0 3 ─── ─── 4 ─── ─── 5 Yes 0 6 Yes 0 Example 1-1 Yes 0.1. 0001 1-2 Yes 0.001 1-3 Yes 0.01 1-4 1-4 Yes 0.1 ───────────────────────────── ─── (Note) Concentration in aqueous solution after dilution

Test method: 5 roses per test section
It was left for 12 days under the conditions of room temperature, that is, 25 to 26 ° C. and humidity of 30 to 40%. Test evaluation: Sensory evaluation was performed by 5 panelists.
The contents of each point are as follows. ───────────────────────────── 5 Very good 4 Somewhat good (slight decrease in tension, excessive opening, etc.) 3 Somewhat bad ( Partially wilted) 2 Bad (mostly wilted) 1 Very bad (withered) ────────────────────────────── Result Is shown in Table 2 below.

[0012]

[Table 2] Number of test days 1 day 3 days 6 days 8 days 10 days 12 days ─────────────────────────── Comparative Example 1 5 3 1 1 1 1 2 5 4 3 2 1 1 3 5 4 2 1 1 1 4 5 3 2 1 1 1 5--4 2 1-6--3 1 1-───────────── ─────────────── Example 1-1 5 5 4 4 3 2 1-2 5 5 5 4 4 3 1-3-5 5 5 4 4 4 1-4 5 4 4 3 2 2 ───────────────────────────

[0013]

[Example 2] As a test material, untreated carnation was purchased directly from a producer. The basic formulation (compounding the freshness-retaining agent excluding the water-soluble salt of sorbic acid) and its final dilution concentration in the aqueous solution are the same as those used in Example 1. (Examples 2-1 and 2-2) The following Table 3 was added to the above basic composition.
A predetermined amount of potassium sorbate was added so as to obtain the final dilution concentration described in, to obtain a freshness preservation sample. This was dissolved in 1 liter of water to give an aqueous solution.

[Comparative Example 7] Water only

[Comparative Example 8] Basic composition only

Comparative Example 9 Commercially available freshness-keeping agent manufactured by Company A

Comparative Example 10 Commercially available freshness-keeping agent manufactured by Company B

[0014]

[Table 3] Test area Basic compound presence / absence Sorbate concentration% (Note) Comparative example 7 No 08 Yes 09 ─────── 10 ─────── Example 2-1 Yes 0.001 2-2 Yes 0 .01 (Note) Concentration in aqueous solution after dilution

The test method, test evaluation procedure, and points of sensory evaluation are the same as in Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6 except that they are left for 18 days. The results are shown in Table 4 below.

[0016]

[Table 4] Number of test days 1 day 4 days 7 days 14 days 16 days 18 days Comparative Example 7 5 4 3 1 1 1 8 5 4 3 2 1 1 9 5 5 4 2 1 1 10 5 4 4 2 1 1 Example 2-1 5 5 5 4 3 2 2-2 5 5 5 5 4 3

[0017]

【The invention's effect】

・ Flowers, leaves and stems are watery for a long time, and flowers do not wither.・ Since humans and animals are harmless and the amount used is very small, it is safe and the environment is not contaminated by waste liquid after use. -Because it is inexpensive and shows a small amount of effect, it is possible to reduce costs.・ In the case of white flowers, the effect is particularly remarkable because dullness does not occur for a long time.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A freshness-keeping agent for cut flowers, which comprises a water-soluble salt of sorbic acid. 2. A method for maintaining the freshness of cut flowers, which comprises immersing the cut flowers in an aqueous solution containing a water-soluble salt of sorbic acid.