Manufacturing method and application of three-dimensional dried peony flowers

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of plant processing and artware manufacturing, in particular to a manufacturing method and application of three-dimensional dried peony flowers. Comprising the following steps: (1) pretreatment: selecting fresh peony flowers in a full-bloom stage, and removing redundant branches and leaves and damaged petals; (2) embedding: taking dry sand as an embedding medium, and completely burying the pretreated peony flowers; and (3) drying: putting the embedded flower into a drying oven, and drying to obtain the three-dimensional dried peony flower. According to the method, peony is taken as an object, different drying methods are systematically compared, indexes such as the drying effect, the water loss rate, the shrinkage rate and the chromatic aberration are comprehensively evaluated, and optimal drying process parameters are explored; color protection and shape protection tests are carried out at the same time, effective preparations and proportions thereof are screened, and a color protection and shape protection scheme suitable for the two flower materials is formed. The method is favorable for perfecting a three-dimensional dried flower production process system and promoting the benign development of the industry.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of plant processing and handicraft production technology, and in particular to a method for producing three-dimensional dried peony flowers and its application. Background Technology

[0002] Dried flowers are products made from fresh flowers through processes such as color preservation, drying, and shaping. They combine aesthetic appeal with durability and can be categorized into two types: flat and three-dimensional. Various drying methods are used, including natural drying, desiccant embedding, microwave drying, oven drying, and vacuum freeze-drying. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages; for example, natural drying is simple but time-consuming, while vacuum freeze-drying better preserves the shape of the flowers but is more expensive.

[0003] Regarding color and shape preservation, common methods include physical and chemical color preservation, which mainly maintain flower color by controlling moisture, inhibiting enzyme activity, or chemical reactions. Shape preservation often employs coating techniques, such as using materials like glycerin, paraffin, or polyvinyl alcohol, to prevent petals from breaking or absorbing moisture and deforming. Related research is still exploring better materials and methods for shape preservation to improve the preservation quality and ornamental lifespan of dried flowers.

[0004] Dried flowers are widely used in cultural and creative products and everyday decorations, resulting in a variety of products including dried flower ornaments, household items, and artistic decorations. With the upgrading of consumption, the dried flower industry is gradually integrating with fields such as cultural creativity and healthy living, developing products such as dried flower aromatherapy, tea drinks, and cultural and creative gifts, which combine practicality and cultural value. Flower festivals in various regions also leverage dried flower products to spread culture and enhance economic value.

[0005] Peonies, as flowers with cultural symbolism, face challenges such as short blooming periods and transportation difficulties when fresh. Therefore, drying techniques are suitable for extending their ornamental life and expanding their applications. Existing research has explored drying, color-protecting, and shape-preserving processes suitable for peonies and azaleas, such as embedding drying, vacuum freezing, and specific chemical color-protecting methods. These studies provide a technological foundation for the development of dried flower products from these two types of flowers, contributing to the promotion of related cultural and creative industries and market development. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention focuses on peonies, systematically comparing different drying methods, comprehensively evaluating drying effects, water loss rate, shrinkage rate, and color difference, and exploring optimal drying process parameters. Simultaneously, color and shape protection experiments were conducted to screen effective agents and their proportions, resulting in color and shape protection solutions suitable for both types of flowers. This invention contributes to improving the three-dimensional dried flower production process system and promoting the healthy development of the industry. Furthermore, this invention utilizes dried peonies to develop cultural and creative products such as earrings, hairpins, brooches, three-dimensional paintings, and round fans, combining aesthetic, practical, and economic value.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: This invention provides a method for producing three-dimensional dried peony flowers, comprising the following steps: (1) Pretreatment: Select peony flowers in full bloom and remove excess branches and leaves and damaged petals; (2) Embedding: Dry sand is used as an embedding agent to completely bury the pretreated peony flowers; (3) Drying: Place the embedded flowers in an oven and dry them at 65~75℃ for 4~5 hours to obtain three-dimensional dried peony flowers.

[0008] Preferably, after step (1) and before step (2), a color-protecting treatment step is also included: soaking the pretreated peony flowers in a color-protecting solution for 0.5 to 1.5 hours; the color-protecting solution is composed of the following components in mass percentage concentration: citric acid 2.5 to 3.5%, magnesium chloride 1.5 to 2.5%, konjac gum 0.05 to 0.15%, and the remainder is water.

[0009] Preferably, the pH of the color-protecting solution is 2.5 to 3.5.

[0010] Preferably, the temperature during the color protection treatment is 23~27℃.

[0011] Preferably, after step (3), a shaping treatment step is also included: the dried peony flowers are coated with a polyvinyl alcohol solution with a mass fraction of 1% to 5%, and then dried at 28 to 32°C to form a film.

[0012] Preferably, the pH of the polyvinyl alcohol solution is 6.0 to 6.4.

[0013] Preferably, the peony variety is 'Luoyang Red'.

[0014] This invention provides a three-dimensional dried peony flower prepared by the method described above.

[0015] This invention provides the application of the aforementioned three-dimensional dried peony flowers in the preparation of three-dimensional dried peony flower cultural and creative products.

[0016] Preferably, the three-dimensional dried peony flowers are used as decorative elements, fixed on a carrier, and made into paintings, fans, or jewelry.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: The method for producing three-dimensional dried peony flowers provided by this invention mainly includes three key steps: drying, color protection, and shape protection. In the drying stage, an oven drying method is used, with drying sand as an embedding agent, and the temperature is set at 70℃ for 4.5 hours. Compared with natural drying and microwave drying, this method can more stably control the drying environment, effectively reduce petal shrinkage and breakage, maintain the three-dimensional shape of the flower, and improve drying efficiency, ensuring that the dried peony flower still possesses good structural integrity and ornamental value.

[0018] For color protection, the fresh flowers are pretreated using a chemical soaking method. A compound color-protecting solution containing 3% citric acid, 2% magnesium chloride, and 0.1% konjac gum is used, and the flowers are soaked at room temperature for 1 hour. This color-protecting formula effectively stabilizes the anthocyanin structure, inhibits oxidation and enzymatic browning, and significantly reduces color fading and migration during the drying process. This makes the color of the dried peony flowers close to the original color of the fresh flowers, enhancing the visual appeal and commercial value of the dried flowers.

[0019] Although the shaping effect has not yet been ideal, the overall production method has been able to preserve the three-dimensional shape and natural color of the peony flower quite well. The resulting three-dimensional dried peony flowers not only extend the viewing period and solve the problems of short blooming time and difficult transportation of fresh flowers, but also expand their application potential in cultural and creative products, home decoration, and gift design, possessing high artistic value and market prospects. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 The natural encapsulation and drying effect of peonies and azaleas.

[0022] Figure 2 The microwave drying effect on peonies.

[0023] Figure 3 The microwave drying effect on azaleas.

[0024] Figure 4 The oven drying effect of peonies.

[0025] Figure 5 The oven drying effect for azaleas.

[0026] Figure 6 The color-protecting effect of different concentrations of citric acid on peonies and azaleas.

[0027] Figure 7The effects of different concentrations of tartaric acid and sucrose on the color protection of peonies and azaleas were investigated.

[0028] Figure 8 The effects of different concentrations of citric acid and magnesium chloride on the color protection of peony and azalea.

[0029] Figure 9 The effect of different concentrations of konjac gum on the color protection of peony flowers.

[0030] Figure 10 The effect of different pH values ​​on the color protection of peony and azalea flowers.

[0031] Figure 11 The effect of parameter combination experiments on the color protection of peony and azalea flowers.

[0032] Figure 12 The effect of chitosan shape protection test.

[0033] Figure 13 The results of the polyvinyl alcohol conformation test.

[0034] Figure 14 This is a detailed display of the peony painting by Yun Shouping of the Qing Dynasty and its overall effect.

[0035] Figure 15 The artwork "A Riot of Flowers" is on display. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The technical solutions provided by the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0037] Example 1

[0038] 1. Problems to be solved

[0039] Currently, the global dried flower industry is booming, with dried flowers gaining widespread attention for their lasting ornamental value and practicality. Compared to fresh flowers, dried flowers can maintain their shape and color stability for a longer period, making them widely used in daily decoration and other industries. my country's dried flower industry started relatively late, and there is still considerable room for development in related research and technology. Entrepreneurial projects centered around dried flowers have promising prospects.

[0040] The key to three-dimensional dried flower production lies in the drying process, the effectiveness of which is influenced by factors such as temperature, time, moisture content of the flowers, and drying medium. This study systematically compares different drying methods using peonies and azaleas, comprehensively evaluating drying effects, water loss rate, shrinkage rate, and color difference to explore optimal drying process parameters. Simultaneously, color and shape protection experiments were conducted to screen effective agents and their proportions, resulting in color and shape protection solutions suitable for both types of flowers. The research findings contribute to improving the three-dimensional dried flower production process and promoting the healthy development of the industry. Furthermore, this study also utilizes dried peonies and azaleas to develop cultural and creative products such as earrings, hairpins, brooches, three-dimensional paintings, and round fans, combining aesthetic, practical, and economic value.

[0041] 2. Study on drying methods of peony and azalea

[0042] 2.1 Materials and Methods

[0043] 2.1.1 Test Materials

[0044] This experiment selected the peony variety "Luoyang Red" and the azalea variety "Western Azalea" as test materials. All flowers were purchased from the market, and those in full bloom with well-developed petals and good flower shape were selected.

[0045] 2.1.2 Experimental Instruments and Reagents

[0046] Instruments: Microwave oven (Galanz WD700S-1), drying oven, colorimeter, electronic scale (WJG-Y351200200D)

[0047] Reagents: dried sand, color-changing silica gel, salt

[0048] 2.1.3 Test Methods

[0049] 2.1.3.1 Natural embedding and drying

[0050] Choose three desiccants: salt, dried sand, and color-changing silica gel. Use the natural burial drying method, removing excess flower stems, leaves, and damaged petals. Cut the flower 2-3 cm below the calyx for later use. After cleaning the drying container, spread a 4-5 cm layer of desiccant at the bottom. Insert the flower head vertically into the desiccant, filling the gaps between the petals and surrounding areas with desiccant to prevent flower deformation. Continue until the desiccant completely covers the entire flower and extends 1-2 cm above the top. Seal the container to prevent air from entering. CK represents fresh peony and azalea flowers.

[0051] 2.1.3.2 Microwave drying

[0052] Peony and azalea flowers, wrapped in desiccant, were placed in a microwave oven and microwaved at three power levels, each with three drying times. The power levels were 800W, 750W, and 700W, with drying times of 180s, 135s, and 90s, respectively. The changes and differences in petal texture, color, and overall flower shape after drying were observed and recorded. CK represents fresh peony and azalea flowers.

[0053] 2.1.3.3 Oven drying

[0054] Peony and azalea flowers, encapsulated with desiccant, were placed in an oven and dried at different temperatures and for different times. The oven temperatures were set to 90℃, 70℃, and 50℃, and the drying times were 6 hours, 4.5 hours, and 3 hours, respectively. The changes in petal texture, color, and overall flower shape after drying were observed and recorded. CK represents fresh peony and azalea flowers.

[0055] 2.1.3.4 Methods for determining the index of dried flowers

[0056] After processing the fresh peonies and azaleas, record their weight on an electronic scale and measure their diameter. Repeat the above steps after drying to obtain the water loss rate and shrinkage rate of each flower.

[0057] Flower material water loss rate: Water loss rate (%) = (W1-W2) / W1×100%, where the initial fresh weight is W1 and the weight after drying is W2.

[0058] Flower shrinkage rate: Shrinkage rate (%) = (L1-L2) / L1×100%, where the diameter of fresh flowers is L1 and the diameter of dried flowers is L2.

[0059] 2.1.3.5 Method for determining the color of dried flowers

[0060] The color of the inner and outer uniformly colored parts of the dried peony flowers was measured using a colorimeter to ensure the representativeness and accuracy of the measurement results. When using the colorimeter, the light source was set to C / 2°, and measurements were taken in a well-lit indoor environment to avoid the influence of direct sunlight. The color of the selected parts was measured using the colorimeter according to the CIE colorimetric system, and the L value was recorded. (brightness), a (Red-Green Axis), b (Yellow and blue axes) Three parameters. Multiple measurements were taken for each flower, and the average value was used to reduce error and improve data reliability.

[0061] Record the L for each sample a b The value is calculated, and subsequent data analysis is performed to obtain ΔE. The smaller the ΔE, the better the color protection effect.

[0062] ΔE can be calculated using the following formula:

[0063] Among them, (L1) a1 b1 (L2) is the color value of a fresh flower. a2 b2 ) is the color value of the dried flower.

[0064] 2.2 Experimental Results and Analysis

[0065] 2.2.1 Natural embedding and drying

[0066] As shown in Table 1, Table 2 and Figure 1 As shown, under the same drying time and temperature, different drying media exhibited significantly different drying effects on peonies and azaleas. During the drying process of both types of flowers, all flowers showed varying degrees of color deepening. Since salt clumps and solidifies during natural burial, removing salt particles from the dried flowers after drying is difficult and cannot effectively prevent petals from breaking or maintain the flower's shape. Therefore, salt is the least ideal desiccant and was not used as a drying material in subsequent drying experiments. Among the two drying media, drying sand and color-changing silica gel, color-changing silica gel has greater water absorption and drying strength, while drying sand better preserves the flower's shape during the drying process. Therefore, the drying effects of both drying sand and color-changing silica gel can be used in subsequent experiments.

[0067] Table 1. Natural Embedding Effects of Peony and Azalea Flowers

[0068] Table 2 Natural Embedded Color Difference Values ​​for Peony and Azalea

[0069] 2.2.2 Microwave Drying

[0070] From Table 3, Table 4 and Figure 2 and 3It can be seen that regardless of whether dry sand or color-changing silica gel is used as the embedding agent for microwave drying, the texture and color of the dried flower petals exhibit different results after different drying times and heat levels. Overall, the color of peonies and azaleas changed from magenta to light purple after drying. This may be because the drying temperature of fresh peonies and azaleas was too high during microwave drying, causing the anthocyanins in the fresh flowers to decompose, thus affecting the color of the dried flowers. Under the same embedding agent and heat level, the longer the drying time, the higher the water loss rate and the higher the shrinkage rate. In this microwave drying experiment, peonies dried in dry sand at 750W heat for 180 seconds showed the best drying effect; they were completely dried, the petals were flat and not easily broken, and the flower color was more aesthetically pleasing. Flowers using color-changing silica gel as an embedding agent all developed dark circular spots on their petals after drying, resulting in poor aesthetic appeal after drying. Azaleas, dried in sand at 700W for 180 seconds, achieved the best results, becoming completely dry with flat, less fragile petals and better color appeal. However, due to the drying drawbacks of color-changing silica gel, the resulting dried flowers had poor aesthetic appeal.

[0071] Table 3 Microwave drying effects on peony and azalea flowers

[0072] Table 4 Color difference values ​​of peony and azalea flowers after microwave drying

[0073] 2.2.3 Oven drying

[0074] From Table 5, Table 6 and Figure 4 and 5 It can be seen that regardless of whether dry sand or color-changing silica gel is used as the embedding agent in oven drying, the texture and color of the dried flowers exhibit different results after different drying times and temperatures. It can be observed that, with the same embedding agent and drying temperature, the longer the drying time, the higher the water loss rate and shrinkage rate; conversely, with the same embedding agent and drying time, the higher the drying temperature, the higher the water loss rate and shrinkage rate. In this oven drying experiment, peony flowers dried in dry sand at 70℃ for 4.5 hours showed the best drying effect, resulting in complete drying, flat and resistant petals, and good ornamental value. Flowers using color-changing silica gel as the embedding agent all showed dark circular spots on the petals after drying, indicating poor ornamental value. Azalea flowers dried in dry sand at 70℃ for 6 hours showed the best results, resulting in complete drying, flat and resistant petals, and good ornamental value. However, due to the drying disadvantages of color-changing silica gel, the resulting dried flowers had poor ornamental value.

[0075] Table 5. Oven drying effects of peony and azalea flowers

[0076] Table 6 Color difference values ​​of peony and azalea flowers after oven drying

[0077] 2.3 Chapter Summary

[0078] 1. Through three drying experiments on peony and azalea flowers, it was found that salt tends to clump together during the drying process, making it difficult to remove residues from the petals after drying. This can easily cause petals to break and fall off, greatly affecting the ornamental value and shape of the dried flowers. Therefore, salt is not suitable as an embedding agent for dried flowers in natural embedding drying, microwave drying, and oven drying.

[0079] 2. Among the three drying methods—natural embedding drying, microwave drying, and oven drying—natural embedding drying takes a long time and requires high external temperature and humidity, making it difficult to consistently produce high-quality dried flowers. Microwave drying can vary depending on the brand of microwave oven, and the high temperature makes it difficult to control the drying temperature appropriately. Oven drying offers stable drying temperatures and uses hot air, resulting in consistent and high-quality dried flower production. Therefore, oven drying is most effective for peonies and azaleas. Furthermore, in microwave and oven drying, which involve higher temperatures, color-changing silica gel embedding agents leave circular spots on the petals during the drying process, affecting their aesthetic appeal. Therefore, color-changing silica gel is unsuitable as an embedding agent in high-temperature drying processes; drying sand is the most effective embedding agent.

[0080] 3. Based on the three drying methods of natural embedding drying, microwave drying, and oven drying, the optimal parameters for peony flower materials are 70℃ oven drying temperature, 4.5 hours drying time, and drying sand as the embedding agent. The optimal parameters for azalea flower materials are 70℃ oven drying temperature, 6 hours drying time, and drying sand as the embedding agent. When the flower materials are dried well, the petals are intact and not easily broken, and the color is highly ornamental.

[0081] 3. Research on color protection methods for peonies and azaleas

[0082] Peonies and azaleas are beloved for their unique cultural connotations and vibrant colors. The peony variety "Luoyang Red" has pinkish-purple flowers, while the azalea variety "Western Azalea" is predominantly bright red. In the process of drying flowers, without appropriate color-protecting treatments, the dried flowers may discolor or fade, affecting their aesthetic appeal. Therefore, this chapter investigates various color-protecting reagents to explore the optimal color-protecting schemes for both peonies and azaleas.

[0083] 3.1 Materials and Methods

[0084] 3.1.1 Test Materials

[0085] Same as 2.1.1.

[0086] 3.1.2 Experimental Instruments and Reagents

[0087] Instrument: Oven

[0088] Reagents: citric acid, magnesium chloride, tartaric acid, sucrose, konjac gum, hydrochloric acid, distilled water.

[0089] 3.1.3 Test Methods

[0090] During the drying process, the colors of peonies and azaleas may fade, migrate, or deepen. This is because as the flowers lose water, the stability of the pigments deteriorates, they become colloids, or pigments deposit, resulting in different variations in the colors of the flowers. To ensure that the color and luster of dried peonies and azaleas remain consistent with the fresh flowers, a color-protecting treatment is necessary before drying. Soaking the flowers in a solution containing specific chemical components can alter the pH value within the petal cells, thereby affecting the structural stability of the pigment molecules. The color-protecting method involves a chemical soaking method. Different color-protecting agents are selected for single-factor experiments. Different chemical solutions with varying mass fractions are prepared, and fresh peonies and azaleas are soaked in each solution at room temperature (25°C) for 1 hour, followed by drying in an oven. The color-protecting effects of each factor are compared to determine the optimal factor, and then parameter combination experiments are conducted based on the selected factors.

[0091] 3.1.4 Single-factor experiment

[0092] Research indicates that different concentrations of citric acid, magnesium chloride, tartaric acid, sucrose, and konjac gum affect the stability of anthocyanins. Different pH values ​​have a significant impact on anthocyanin stability. Based on the varying effects of different pH values ​​on anthocyanin stability, single-factor experiments were conducted to screen suitable color-protecting factors and determine the basic range of their influence on anthocyanin stability. The experimental conditions involved soaking at room temperature for 1 hour. Factor 1: The concentration gradient of citric acid is 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, and 10%; Factor 2: The concentration gradient of tartaric acid + sucrose is 2%+1%, 4%+2%, 5%+2.5%, 6%+3%, 8%+4%, and 10%+5%; Factor 3: The concentration gradient of citric acid + magnesium chloride is 2.5%+0.5%, 5%+1%, 7.5%+1.5%, 10%+2.5%, 12.5%+3.5%, and 15%+5%; Factor 4: The concentration gradient of konjac gum is 0.01%, 0.02%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.5%; Factor 5: The pH values ​​are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

[0093] 3.1.5 Combination Experiment of Color Protection Factors

[0094] Based on the results of the single-factor experiments, appropriate factor levels were selected for parameter combination experimental design. The combined parameter experiment was arranged by constructing an experimental table, which allows for a comprehensive analysis of the impact of multiple factors on the experimental results with a smaller number of trials. After analyzing the results of the previous single-factor experiments, some factors with a significant impact on color protection were selected for parameter combination experimental analysis. The parameter combination experiment shown in the table below was designed to determine the color protection effects of several factors and their combined effects, thereby identifying the optimal combination and parameters for such color protection factors.

[0095] Table 7. Parameter Combination Experiment Factors

[0096] 3.2 Results Analysis

[0097] 3.2.1 Analysis of Single-Factor Experiment Results

[0098] From Table 8 and Figure 6 It was found that peony flowers showed the smallest color difference and best color protection effect when the citric acid concentration was 1%. Azalea flowers showed the smallest color difference and best color protection effect when the citric acid concentration was 2%, compared to other mass fractions of citric acid. As the concentration of the citric acid solution used to soak the two types of flowers continued to increase, the color difference gradually increased, and the color protection effect worsened. This is because citric acid has a small molecular weight and is easily soluble in water, making the aqueous solution acidic. Anthocyanins are more stable under acidic conditions, so citric acid can be used to maintain the stability of anthocyanins. At the same time, citric acid also acts as an antioxidant; anthocyanins are easily oxidized, so citric acid can effectively isolate anthocyanins from oxygen damage, protecting them from oxidation and thus preserving their color. Because the petals of peonies and azaleas have different thicknesses, the optimal parameters for the color protection effect of citric acid also differ.

[0099] Table 8. Effects of citric acid on the color-protecting effect of peony and azalea flowers.

[0100] From Table 9 and Figure 7It was found that with increasing concentrations of tartaric acid and sucrose, the color difference value of peony flowers gradually increased from 16.14 to 30.39, indicating a significant decrease in color protection effect. The color difference value of azalea flowers, however, fluctuated with concentration: reaching a peak at 4%+2%, then significantly decreasing at 5%+2.5%, and finally stabilizing at 10%+5%. This may be because high concentrations of tartaric acid and sucrose in peony color protection can damage plant cell membrane structures, leading to pigment loss, and simultaneously causing osmotic pressure imbalance, affecting cell stability and accelerating pigment decomposition under high-temperature drying. For azaleas, moderate concentrations may trigger a synergistic effect of tartaric acid and sucrose, forming a stable color-protecting environment. High concentrations may inhibit pigment degradation due to excessive acidity or high osmotic pressure, but the effect is weaker than the optimal concentration. Azalea pigments may have different sensitivities to acids and sugars, exhibiting a self-regulating mechanism.

[0101] Table 9. Effects of tartaric acid and sucrose on the color-protecting effect of peony and azalea flowers.

[0102] It is known from experiments that citric acid, as an antioxidant, has a good effect on preserving the color of dried fresh flowers. Some data indicate that certain inorganic salts can increase the stability of anthocyanins, especially Mg. 2+ The effect is most prominent. Therefore, a mixture of citric acid and magnesium chloride is used as the color-protecting solution for dried flowers. (From Table 10 and...) Figure 8 It can be seen that for peonies, the optimal concentration of citric acid and magnesium chloride (7.5% + 1.5%) results in a smaller color difference and the best color protection effect; for azaleas, the optimal concentration of citric acid and magnesium chloride (2.5% + 0.5%) results in a smaller color difference and the best color protection effect. This is because Mg... 2+ It combines with peony pigments to form a relatively stable substance, and the presence of citric acid also helps to protect the color.

[0103] Table 10. Effects of citric acid and magnesium chloride on the color-protecting effect of peony and azalea flowers.

[0104] From Table 11 and Figure 9It is known that for peonies, the concentration of konjac gum and the magnitude of color difference are basically positively correlated. As the concentration of konjac gum increases, the color difference of the petals gradually increases, and the color-protecting effect gradually deteriorates. Azaleas also generally show a trend of increasing color difference with increasing konjac gum concentration. This may be because konjac gum, as a natural hydrophilic colloid, can form a thin protective film on the surface of the flower after drying, thus isolating it from air. However, when the mass fraction of konjac gum is too high, the dried konjac gum will form an excessively thick film on the flower surface, and due to this excessive thickness, white substances will appear, causing a change in the original color of the peony. Because peonies and azaleas differ in size, shape, and petal texture, peonies have more layers of outer petals. A higher concentration of konjac gum may accumulate in the gaps between the petals, reducing the color-protecting effect. Azaleas, on the other hand, have smaller flowers, and their petals are often funnel-shaped with wavy edges. Their texture is smoother and more even to the touch than peony petals. These factors combined prevent konjac gum from accumulating excessively on the petals, resulting in a different color-protecting effect compared to peonies.

[0105] Table 11 Effects of konjac gum on the color-protecting effect of peony and azalea flowers

[0106] From Table 12 and Figure 10 It can be observed that for peonies, the color difference of the petals gradually increases with increasing solution pH, and shows a significant increasing trend at pH 4, indicating a decrease in color protection. For azaleas, the color difference continuously increases with increasing pH, while the color protection gradually deteriorates. This phenomenon may be related to the high sensitivity of anthocyanin molecules to pH. As a color-developing substance, anthocyanin contains a heterocyclic system with a tetravalent oxygen atom in its molecular structure, which makes it weakly alkaline overall. When external pH conditions change, this special molecular structure undergoes certain changes, resulting in different colors.

[0107] Table 12 Effects of pH on the color-protecting effect of peony and azalea.

[0108] The experimental results showed that different color-protecting agents had significantly different effects on the color stability of dried peony and azalea flowers. Citric acid showed the best color-protecting effect on peonies and azaleas within the 1%-2% concentration range. Tartaric acid and sucrose, due to their acidity and sugar concentration, were unstable during the color-protecting process and could not play a good role, so they were not suitable as color-protecting agents. Citric acid and magnesium chloride had a good effect on the color protection of dried flowers at a suitable concentration, but were not suitable at excessively high concentrations. Although the film-forming properties of konjac gum could reduce oxidative damage to dried flowers, excessively high concentrations would form white residual flocculent matter on the surface of the dried flowers, affecting the color quality. pH value also had a certain impact on the color of dried flowers; at lower pH values, the color change was smaller, and the color of dried flowers was relatively stable.

[0109] 3.2.2 Analysis of Parameter Combination Test Results

[0110] The results of the single-factor experiment analysis show that the factors and their parameter ranges for the combined experiment can be determined. (See Table 13 and...) Figure 11 It can be seen that for peony flowers, the largest color difference value was found in option 4, which contains 6% citric acid, 5% magnesium chloride, and 0.25% konjac gum. Option 4 has the largest color difference value and the worst color-protecting effect, possibly because the concentrations of all three solutes are too high, preventing citric acid and magnesium chloride from effectively protecting the anthocyanins. Simultaneously, konjac gum precipitates white flocculent substances on its surface, resulting in a lack of aesthetic appeal. The smallest color difference value was found in option 1, which contains 3% citric acid, 2% magnesium chloride, and 0.1% konjac gum. This is likely because the concentrations of konjac gum and magnesium chloride are relatively low, allowing the peony flower to effectively absorb more citric acid. Furthermore, the low concentrations of both citric acid and konjac gum result in a weaker reaction, effectively protecting the color of the dried peony flower. Therefore, the most suitable parameters are: 3% citric acid, 2% magnesium chloride, and 0.1% konjac gum, which yields ideal results in the color-protecting experiment, and the parameters of the color-protecting solution can be basically determined.

[0111] For azaleas, the color difference between the inner and outer layers of solution number 2 is at its maximum, corresponding to 4% citric acid, 3% magnesium chloride, and 0.15% konjac gum, resulting in the worst color protection. Solution number 3 has the smallest color difference considering both inner and outer layers, with 5% citric acid, 4% magnesium chloride, and 0.2% konjac gum. This is likely because the concentrations of konjac gum and magnesium chloride are relatively low. The concentration of konjac gum is at a critical level, effectively absorbing more citric acid. Simultaneously, the low concentrations of both citric acid and konjac gum result in a weaker reaction, effectively protecting the color of the dried peony. Therefore, the most suitable parameters are: 5% citric acid, 4% magnesium chloride, and 0.2% konjac gum, which yields ideal results in the color protection experiment, and the parameters of the color-protecting solution can be largely determined.

[0112] Table 13 Effects of parameter combination experiments on the color-protecting effect of peony and azalea.

[0113] 3.3 Chapter Summary

[0114] 1. Through comparison of single-factor experimental results, it can be seen that citric acid, magnesium chloride and pH value have the most significant impact on the color protection of floral materials, while tartaric acid, sucrose and konjac gum have unstable factors in the color protection of the two plants and are not suitable as color stabilizing agents.

[0115] 2. The results of the parameter combination experiments show that, to obtain the best color-protecting effect for peony flowers, the optimal color-protecting parameters are 3% citric acid, 2% magnesium chloride, and 0.1% konjac gum; for azalea flowers, the optimal parameters are 5% citric acid, 4% magnesium chloride, and 0.2% konjac gum. At these parameters, the color-protecting effect of azalea flowers is better compared to other parameter combinations. The concentration ratios of the color-protecting solutions differ slightly between the two types of flowers.

[0116] 4. Research on the shaping methods of peony and azalea

[0117] After being dried in an oven, the petals of peonies and azaleas are extremely fragile and easily broken. Furthermore, if left unprotected in the air, they absorb moisture and oxygen, causing oxidation, discoloration, and deformation. This is detrimental to both transportation and sales, as well as their aesthetic appeal. To address this issue, this chapter explores a method of coating dried flowers to preserve their shape. By using a coating technique, it seeks a suitable method to maintain the three-dimensional shape of the dried flowers for a longer period while simultaneously addressing their susceptibility to breakage, thus maximizing their aesthetic value.

[0118] 4.1 Materials and Methods

[0119] 4.1.1 Test Materials

[0120] Same as 2.1.1

[0121] 4.1.2 Test instruments and reagents

[0122] Instrument: Oven

[0123] Reagents: Polyvinyl alcohol, chitosan, glycerol, glutaraldehyde, acetic acid

[0124] 4.1.3 Test Methods

[0125] Chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol solutions of varying concentrations are evenly coated onto dried flowers that have undergone color protection treatment and are produced under optimal drying conditions. The evenly coated dried flowers are then placed in an oven at 30°C for 10 hours to evaporate the moisture in the coating solution, thus forming an airtight film on the surface of the dried flowers. The flowers are then removed and fixed in place.

[0126] Table 14 Chitosan Film-Forming Solution Tests

[0127] Table 15 Polyvinyl alcohol film-forming solution test

[0128] 4.2 Results Analysis

[0129] Depend on Figure 12 It is known that using different mass fractions of chitosan, glycerol, and glutaraldehyde to coat dried peony and azalea flowers has varying effects on the shape preservation of the dried flowers. Since chitosan dissolves in slightly acidic solutions, adjusting the solution pH to 2.8 is most suitable, with glutaraldehyde used as a cross-linking agent. After the moisture on the surface of the dried flowers evaporates, a pale yellow film with a pungent odor is formed. This film has good water resistance, effectively protecting the dried flowers from reacting with water molecules and oxygen in the air, thus providing good color preservation. The chitosan film also inhibits bacterial growth, effectively preventing the dried flowers from molding and deteriorating in humid weather. However, due to the pungent odor and the fact that the film, after drying, ranges from pale yellow to dark brown, it is not suitable as a coating agent for dried flowers.

[0130] Polyvinyl alcohol solution is colorless and transparent. Figure 13 Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is used as a coating solvent for dried flowers, forming a thin, transparent film on the surface of the flowers. This film has good light transmittance and does not affect the original color of the dried flowers. Simultaneously, the PVA film effectively blocks moisture and oxygen from the air, preventing the dried flowers from becoming damp and moldy after coating. The film also does not discolor upon contact with moisture in the air, effectively protecting the color and shape. However, since the results of this shape-protection experiment were unsatisfactory, it is preliminarily speculated that the failure was due to an incorrect coating method, and the optimal shape-protection effect could not be obtained in this experiment.

[0131] 4.3 Chapter Summary

[0132] 1. Through the shaping test of peony and azalea flowers, it can be concluded that the mass fraction of film-forming substance should not be too high, otherwise the film will be too thick and the coating will be uneven.

[0133] 2. Because the chitosan solution is pale yellow and has a pungent odor after preparation, and the yellow color and pungent odor remain after drying, it is not suitable as a coating agent for dried flowers. In the polyvinyl alcohol coating test, since the effects of all coated products were not ideal, it is speculated that the coating method was incorrect, which led to the failure of the test and the inability to obtain the optimal shape protection effect.

[0134] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for producing three-dimensional dried peony flowers, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: (1) Pretreatment: Select peony flowers in full bloom and remove excess branches and leaves and damaged petals; (2) Embedding: Dry sand is used as an embedding agent to completely bury the pretreated peony flowers; (3) Drying: Place the embedded flowers in an oven and dry them at 65~75℃ for 4~5 hours to obtain three-dimensional dried peony flowers.

2. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, After step (1) and before step (2), a color protection treatment step is also included: soaking the pretreated peony flowers in a color protection solution for 0.5 to 1.5 hours; the color protection solution is composed of the following components in mass percentage concentration: citric acid 2.5 to 3.5%, magnesium chloride 1.5 to 2.5%, konjac gum 0.05 to 0.15%, and the remainder is water.

3. The manufacturing method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The pH of the color-protecting solution is 2.5~3.

5.

4. The manufacturing method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The temperature during the color protection treatment is 23~27℃.

5. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, After step (3), a shaping treatment step is also included: the dried peony flowers are coated with a polyvinyl alcohol solution with a mass fraction of 1% to 5%, and then dried at 28 to 32°C to form a film.

6. The manufacturing method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The pH of the polyvinyl alcohol solution is 6.0~6.

4.

7. The manufacturing method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The peony variety mentioned is 'Luoyang Red'.

8. A three-dimensional dried peony flower prepared by the method described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The application of the three-dimensional dried peony flowers according to claim 8 in the preparation of three-dimensional dried peony flower cultural and creative products.

10. The application according to claim 9, characterized in that, The three-dimensional dried peony flowers described in claim 8 are used as decorative elements, fixed on a carrier, and made into paintings, fans, or jewelry.

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