JOURNAL OF FOOD AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT, vol.5, pp.48-51, 2007 (SCI-Expanded)
Broccoli is a highly perishable floral vegetable whose postharvest quality is influenced by transport and storage environment, particularly ethylene. Endogenously produced ethylene promotes sepal yellowing and shortens storage life whereas packaging delays color changes and prolongs storage life because of reduced respiration and ethylene production. We tested the effectiveness of the ethylene action inhibitor Imethycyclopropene (1-MCP), as a complement to packaging to maintain postharvest quality of broccoli. 'Monopoly' broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) heads were treated with 0.05 mg/l of MCP and packaged using three different packaging materials such as polyvinylchloride (PVC) films of 8.5 (P 1) and 14 pm thickness (P2) and polyethylene (PE) bags (P3). After that broccoli heads were stored in a cold room set at 5 degrees C temperature and 95-98% relative humidity (RH). Packaging especially in P I bags after 1-MCP treatment delayed chlorophyll degradation and colour changes in broccoli. Hue angle of broccoli colour and chlorophyll loss were correlated. Also weight loss was reduced especially in P I packaged broccoli.