A research scholar of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has developed a method that, florists believe, will help preserve the natural colour and shape of leaves and flowers for a period of at least 20 years.

The five-year-long research on “Prevention of botanical species, retaining their natural pigment” was carried out by Praveen Kumar Verma under the supervision of Dr Abduraheem from the Department of Museology, AMU.

“By dipping the flower in a solution of copper sulphate and priopionic acid immediately after isolating it from the plant, de-oxidation is checked in flower cells. All chemical activities that cause deterioration also get checked and that ensures the retaining of colour and shape of the flower,” said Praveen.

After the applications of these chemicals, flowers are dehydrated with the help of silica gel at an optimum temperature range, said Praveen, while adding: “To preserve the flower in liquid medium, petals should be kept in a solution of formaldehyde after dipping in copper sulphate and priopioninc acid solution.”

Dr Abduraheem said that after receiving approval from the Botanical Survey of India, Gangtok, and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, on this new developed method, the AMU awarded a doctorate to Praveen on September 26.

“We observed that no deterioration occurred in flowers when these chemicals were applied on them,” said Dr Abduraheem. He added that research was carried out on various flower varieties, including rose, dahlia, sunflower and bougainvillea.

Praveen said he plans to apply for patent rights on his new method that, he believes, will help boost flower export to the USA, Israel, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Western European countries.

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