The Effects of Post-Harvest Treatments on the Quality of Agastache aurantiaca Edible Flowers

Agastache spp. are used as ornamental plants for their pleasant aroma and the different colors of flowers. Nowadays, edible flowers have become attractive nutraceutical properties. Post-harvest treatment appears a crucial point to avoid impairment compounds aroma, so treatments were tested analyze effect on bioactive metabolites volatilome. Results indicated that freeze-drying was best solution prolong shelf life these The use high temperatures (50, 60, 70 °C) led altered composition antioxidant (phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins, carotenoids). Air-drying at 30 °C reasonable method, even though time consuming. Concerning profile, all samples dominated by oxygenated monoterpene compounds. Pulegone main or one major constituents together with p-menthone. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry results showed correlation between temperature number identified Both fresh freeze-dried evidenced lesser (10 19, respectively); when raised, increased. Statistical analyses highlighted significant differences almost aromatic if both Principal Component Hierarchical Cluster differed 60 from other treatments.