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Name: Jeff H.
Status: student
Age: 16
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2001-2002
Question:
Why does antifreeze help preserve plants? As in it can be used instead of glycerine to preserve the plant when making a floral arrangement. How is it that anti freeze can be used to do this?

Replies:
This is more chemistry than botany. Recommend looking at the chemical properties of propylene glycol to see the reasons for it being an antifreeze. Propylene glycol also sometimes an ingredient in ice cream.

Perhaps helpful:

http://www.schools.utah.gov/curr/science/core/plans/antifreez.html

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp96.html

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/20010821/442398.htm

http://www.frutarom.com/meer/meertbl.htm

http://www.raulamon.org/botanical/

Anthony R. Brach, Ph.D.


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