Preservation of plant material

摘要

This invention relates to a method for the preservation and/or dyeing of plant material including cut flowers. According to the invention, the treated plant material has the color and texture of fresh plant material and is substantially free from curling or distortion. The method may comprise five steps including a first step of substantially removing the protective wax coating from flowers and other plant material without adversely affecting the strength of the plant material; a second step comprising a mild oxidative bleach to remove excess color from the plant material; a third step comprising a mild reductive bleach to neutralize any residual oxidative bleach and to stabilize the color; a fourth step comprising the simultaneous preservation and dyeing of the plant material, and a fifth and last step comprising the rinsing and drying of the preserved and dyed material. This may be followed by a 2nd preservation and dyeing step and a rinsing and drying. The product can then be rewaxed and stored.

主权项

1. A method for preserving and/or dyeing plant material, the method consisting of:
a first step of removing at least 50% by weight of the natural wax material from the plant material, wherein removing natural wax material from the plant material is achieved by treating the plant material with a non-polar de-waxing solvent consisting of iso-paraffin, petroleum ether, esters of C2-C16 carboxylic acids, or mixtures thereof; a further step of immersing the plant material into a hydrating solution; a further step of subjecting the plant material to a bleaching agent and a pressurized preservation agent, wherein the preservation agent consists essentially of a humectant component, a solvent component and optionally a dye, fungicide or a fragrance material; a further step of rinsing the plant material; and a further step of step of drying and/or storing the plant material.