BAU Correspondent :
Gerbera, one of the most popular cut flowers globally-also known as Barberton Daisy, African Daisy, or Transvaal Daisy-is cherished for its vibrant colours and attractive forms. According to the global trends in floriculture, gerbera ranks fourth place among cut flowers in the United States and is among the top three most purchased cut flowers. Its popularity is also on the rise in Bangladesh, with increasing use in weddings, birthdays, corporate events, and national occasions for bouquets and decorations. Currently, it is commercially cultivated in Jessore, Gazipur, and Savar. However, a major limitation of Gerbera is its short vase life after cutting.
In a groundbreaking development, a research team from Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) has successfully extended the postharvest life of Gerbera using environmentally friendly silver nanoparticles synthesized from tea leaf extract. These silver nanoparticles have been shown to significantly inhibit microbial growth in the flower stem, enhance water uptake, and keep the blooms fresh for a longer period-almost doubling their longevity.
The research was led by Dr. Md. Alamgir Hossain, Professor of the Department of Crop Botany at BAU. Assistant Professor Sadiya Arefin Juthee, the first researcher at the university to work on phytonanoparticles, was also part of the core team, along with several others.
The study, titled “Eco-friendly synthesis, characterization, and application of silver nanoparticles to extend the vase life of Gerbera (Gerbera hybrida)”, was recently published in the internationally renowned scientific journal Postharvest Biology and Technology. The project was funded by the Bangladesh Agricultural University Research System (BAURES).
Explaining the objective of the research, Dr. Alamgir said, “After harvesting, Gerbera flowers wilt quickly due to increased ethylene hormone production, which causes tissue damage and accelerates senescence. Additionally, microbial blockages in the stem hinder water absorption. Our silver nanoparticles effectively suppress ethylene production and microbial growth, significantly extending vase life.”
Assistant Professor Sadiya Arefin Juthee elaborated on the method, saying that silver nanoparticles synthesized from tea leaf extract were applied at five concentrations-0, 5, 10, 20 ppm, and a 10 ppm silver nitrate for comparison. The 10 ppm silver nanoparticle treatment proved to be the most effective, increasing vase life by up to 62.22%. Moreover, the flowers retained 85.63% of their fresh weight, showed 40% increased water uptake, 43% more chlorophyll in stems, and a 147% increase in pigment retention in petals.
She added, “Most importantly, no microbial growth was observed in the vase water, and water flow through the stem remained unimpeded at the 10 ppm concentration.”
To verify the structure and function of the nanoparticles, the researchers employed UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDX), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). Dr. Hossain emphasized that both the nanoparticle and its stabilizer were derived from tea leaf extract, making the process fully eco-friendly.
Regarding application, Dr. Alamgir explained, “After cutting, the stem of the flower can be dipped into or sprayed with nanoparticle-mixed water before placing it in a vase. The same process can be used while preparing flower bouquets. We can even provide consumers with a small vial of the solution to maintain freshness at home.”
He noted that since only a minimal amount is required, commercial production would be highly cost-effective.
Highlighting future prospects, Dr. Alamgir said, “This eco-friendly silver nanoparticle technology can be applied to other flowers as well. It opens a new chapter in Bangladesh’s floriculture sector by reducing waste, increasing profitability, and enhancing export potential. With government support, we can commercialize this innovation and bring standardized doses to the market.”
