Reethu GR, MD. Jameel Jhalegar, Umme Seema N, SL Jagadeesh, Bhuvaneshwari G, Babu AG and Pavankumar P

Investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect of different pre-cooling methods to extend shelf life of tuberose florets. The harvested flowers were treated with different pre-cooling methods (pre-cooling at 4oC, hydro cooling at 4oC and by use of gel ice packs), followed by treatment with sucrose (10% and 4%) and boric acid (4% and 2%). Analysis was done in terms of physical and chemical characteristics of flowers. Among the three pre-cooling methods, flowers treated with 4% boric and pre-cooled at 4oC showed maximum freshness (4.67) with grade (A) and highest L* value (87.23) than the control. Florets treated with 4% boric acid retained moisture content (85.33%) without adversely affecting physico-chemical qualities even up to 4 days of storage. Main objective is to study the response of pre-cooling methods and chemicals (sucrose and boric acid) on extending the marketability of tuberose flowers.

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