Permeability changes in membranes of Protea neriifloia leaves during senescence were investigated. A complete preservative consisting of a-hydroxyquinoline sulphate (8-HQS), silver nitrate (AgN03), citric acid and sucrose was formulated by using different concentrations of the components. The % browning of the leaves, change in mass of the inflorescence and their water uptake over a period of 20 days was used as a measurement to determine the most effective concentrations. The results lead to the formulating of an effective preservative which can be used commercially. The preservative consists of 100 mg 8-HQS, 5 mg AgNo3, 100 mg citric acid. and 10 g sucrose, made up to 1 litre with distilled water. Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the effects of a complete preservative on protea leaves. The respiratory rate and water content of leaves from inflorescence in preservative and distilled water was determined and compared. The respiratory rate of leaves of inflorescence in preservative was considerably higher than that of the control. The preservative also resulted in the leaves having a better retention of their water...
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:12263 |
| Date | 11 September 2014 |
| Creators | Maree, Johannes Oren |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Johannesburg |
Page generated in 0.002 seconds