Aroma quality evaluation of Jasmine flower

In India, even as floriculture activity moved from dormancy to infancy, a conductive policy and support from the Government concurrently resulted in commercialization. The country is bestowed with ideal temperature conditions for commercial floriculture throughout the year in some or other part. This has helped in entrepreneurs and growers recognizing diversification into floriculture as a commercial value. The Indian culture has traditionally seen use of flowers in ceremonial activities, divine worship apart from decoration. With growth in floriculture production in the country, domestic market has also expanded several folds. Jasmine is one of the oldest, fragrant and traditional flowers of India. Jasmine flowers are used for preparing jasmine string, veni, jadai, jasmine garland and also used for producing concrete, absolute, perfumes and essential oil. In recent years, jasmine flowers are exported after value addition. The fragrance of jasmine flowers is unique in nature which cannot be exactly replaced by a mixture of any known chemicals or plant products. The harvesting of flowers for concrete extraction and garland making are done in different time and stage. The jasmine flower necessitates skilled manpower and vast experience for harvesting of quality flowers. Harvesting of flowers is a time consuming and labour expensive process. This system will give solutions for right time for harvesting for effective concrete extraction and garland making. This paper describes the development of a rugged field deployable miniaturized device that can evaluate the blossoming and quality testing of Jasmine flower based on its aroma. This device is a fully integrated one where the Electronics control, Display, Sensor Array and the Odour Delivery System is enclosed in a single Enclosure. The miniaturized device can be operated by a 12 V battery pack at a stretch for a period of ten hours.