Qualitative analysis of Davana (Artemisia pallens Wall.) stored in different packaging materials

Abstract

The Davana (Artemisia pallens Wall.) is a member of the Asteraceae family. South India is the commercial home of this valuable aromatic plant from India. The southern regions of Karnataka are the main locations for its cultivation, with smaller amounts being found in Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The experiment was carried out to optimize the moisture for packaging and to study qualitative parameters of Davana during storage. It consisted seven different packaging materials like Aluminium foil paper, Paper bag, Cotton cloth bag, Butter paper bag, Shrink packaging, Gunny bag and Control. Davana storage 0, 90, 180 up to 270 days at ambient condition. The samples during storage were analysed for physiological loss in weight, moisture content and qualitative parameter like glycoside, steroids. The research was carried out with optimizing the moisture of Davana by shade drying. It is concluded that the Davana can be stored in butter paper bags till 270 days at ambient condition.