Marigold flowers being preserved in an LDPE bag.

Marigold Magic: How Smart Packaging Keeps Flowers Fresh and Boosts Lutein

Mira Elwood in Tech & Innovation August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unlock the secrets to extending the shelf life of marigolds and maximizing their health benefits with the right packaging. Discover how a simple LDPE bag can make all the difference!"

Marigolds aren't just beautiful; they're also packed with health benefits, thanks to a powerful antioxidant called lutein. India is a major producer of marigolds, but these delicate flowers have a short shelf life, leading to significant losses and limiting export potential. Finding ways to keep them fresh longer is a big deal for both the economy and our health.

While there are traditional methods for preserving marigolds, like air drying or using preservatives, these can degrade lutein or introduce unwanted chemicals. That's where innovative packaging comes in. Recent research explores how different packaging materials can extend the shelf life of cut flowers, keeping them vibrant and nutrient-rich.

This article dives into a study that tested various packaging configurations to find the best way to preserve marigold flowers. The goal? To keep them fresh for longer, maintain their lutein content, and unlock their full potential as both an ornamental delight and a source of valuable nutrients. Prepare to discover the surprising power of a simple LDPE bag!

The Packaging Solution: LDPE to the Rescue

Marigold flowers being preserved in an LDPE bag.

Researchers designed ten different packaging configurations using materials like low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), glassine paper, and cellophane. They packed fresh marigold flowers in these materials and stored them in a controlled environment, monitoring their sensory attributes (appearance, color, texture, fungal growth) and chemical properties (moisture, oxidation, lutein content). A control group of unpackaged flowers was also observed.

The results were striking: flowers packed in LDPE bags had the longest shelf life, lasting eight days compared to just four days for the unpackaged control group. But the benefits didn't stop there. The LDPE packaging also:

Preserved Lutein: Flowers in LDPE bags showed significantly higher lutein production, enhancing their nutritional value.
Maintained Moisture: LDPE helped prevent moisture loss, keeping the petals from drying out and shrinking.
Reduced Oxidation: The packaging limited the production of harmful peroxide radicals, slowing down the aging process.
Boosted Antioxidant Activity: LDPE-packaged flowers retained higher levels of beneficial antioxidants.

These findings highlight the potential of LDPE packaging to not only extend the shelf life of marigolds but also to enhance their health benefits. This simple, cost-effective solution could revolutionize the marigold industry, boosting export potential and making this valuable flower more accessible to consumers.

More Than Just a Pretty Flower: Unlocking Marigold's Potential

This research underscores the importance of smart packaging in preserving not only the aesthetic appeal but also the nutritional value of agricultural products. By choosing the right materials, we can minimize waste, extend shelf life, and deliver healthier options to consumers.

The success of LDPE packaging opens up exciting possibilities for the marigold industry. It’s a practical, affordable solution that can help farmers reduce post-harvest losses, increase export opportunities, and capitalize on the growing demand for natural sources of lutein.

So, the next time you see a vibrant marigold, remember that there's more to it than meets the eye. Thanks to innovative packaging solutions, these flowers are not only a feast for the eyes but also a boost for our health.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.2174/1872208310666160725195516, Alternate LINK

Title: Effect Of Packaging On Shelf-Life And Lutein Content Of Marigold (Tagetes Erecta L.) Flowers

Subject: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology

Journal: Recent Patents on Biotechnology

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.

Authors: Sayani Pal, Probir Kumar Ghosh, Paramita Bhattacharjee

Published: 2016-09-29

Everything You Need To Know

How does using LDPE bags affect the freshness of marigold flowers?

Low-density polyethylene, known as LDPE, bags extend the shelf life of marigolds by creating a protective barrier. This helps in maintaining the flower's freshness for a longer period compared to not packaging them or using other materials. By using LDPE bags, marigolds can last up to eight days, whereas unpackaged flowers typically last only about four days.

In what ways do LDPE bags help in retaining the nutritional value, specifically lutein, in marigolds?

LDPE bags preserve and enhance the lutein content in marigolds. This is achieved by reducing moisture loss and oxidation, which are factors that can degrade lutein. Maintaining higher levels of lutein means that the marigolds retain more of their valuable antioxidant properties, contributing to their nutritional benefits. Other methods include air drying and using preservatives, but these degrade lutein and introduce unwanted chemicals.

What was the methodology used in the study to test different packaging solutions for preserving marigolds?

The study explored ten different packaging configurations, utilizing materials such as LDPE, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), glassine paper, and cellophane. The marigolds were packed and then stored in a controlled environment. The flowers were observed for sensory attributes and chemical properties, such as appearance, color, texture, fungal growth, moisture, oxidation, and lutein content. A control group of unpackaged flowers was also monitored to provide a baseline for comparison.

How does LDPE packaging prevent the drying out and aging of marigold flowers?

The findings indicate that LDPE packaging significantly reduces moisture loss in marigolds, which helps keep the petals hydrated and prevents them from drying out. Additionally, LDPE packaging limits the production of harmful peroxide radicals, slowing down the aging process of the flowers. This contributes to maintaining the vibrant appearance and extending the shelf life of the marigolds.

What are the potential economic and health implications of using LDPE packaging in the marigold industry?

Using LDPE packaging for marigolds can revolutionize the industry by minimizing waste, extending shelf life, and delivering healthier flowers to consumers. Given that India is a major producer of marigolds, this innovation can boost export potential by ensuring the flowers remain fresh and retain their nutritional value during transportation. The cost-effective nature of LDPE makes it an accessible solution for both growers and distributors, ultimately benefiting both the economy and public health. However, the study does not address the environmental impact of LDPE, nor does it address the use of other preservation methods in conjunction with the packaging.