The Hidden Power of Dried Marigold Petals

Marigold flowers, or Cempasúchil, are a big deal in Mexico's Day of the Dead celebrations. But after the festivities, these flowers often end up as trash, adding to pollution. This is a waste of a useful resource. A clever way to deal with this is by drying the petals with a mixed-mode solar dryer. This method is eco-friendly, easy to use, and cost-effective, making it perfect for rural areas. The process involves heating the petals to a max of 69. 65°C with solar power, which reaches up to 1080. 60 W/m2. The drying process starts with petals that are 87. 35% water and ends with them being just 4. 93% water. This change also affects the petals' color. Initially, they have specific color values: lightness at 65. 44, a at 32. 43, b at 78. 38, Chroma at 84. 83, and Hue angle at 67. 53°. The dried petals pack a punch in terms of health benefits. They have high antioxidant activity, which helps fight off harmful molecules in the body. They also contain a good amount of vitamin C, phenols, flavonoids, and carotenoids. After drying, the vitamin C content jumps from 27. 86 to 75. 675 mg/100 g. The carotenoid content also sees a significant increase, from 2. 073 to 18. 947 mg/100 g. The antioxidant activity improves slightly, from 93. 513 to 98. 178%. The total phenols and flavonoids content remain fairly stable, with minor increases. These dried petals aren't just good for health; they have practical uses too. They can be used as a natural insecticide, helping to control pests without harmful chemicals. They can also act as a fertilizer, improving soil quality. This process turns a post-festival waste problem into a valuable resource. It's a win-win situation for both the environment and local communities. It's important to think critically about how we handle waste, especially from cultural events. This approach shows that with a bit of innovation, we can turn trash into treasure. It's a reminder that nature often provides solutions if we're willing to look and think outside the box.