Improvement of Storage Quality of Broccoli Using a Cold-Shock Precooling Way and the Related Molecular Mechanisms

Abstract

This research was performed to ascertain the impact of cold shock precooling and the underlying mechanism on broccoli storage quality. After being harvested and placed at 0 ± 2 °C, the broccoli was sealed in polyethylene bags and stored at 4 ± 2 °C. Cold-shock precooling showed superior qualities in terms of higher hardness, titratable acidity, moisture content, soluble protein, and chlorophyll, as well as more abundant volatile compounds, better sensory quality, antioxidant capacity, and decreased weight loss in comparison to without cold shock. The regulation of important metabolic enzymes such as peroxidase, catalase, pheophytinase, and magnesium-dechelatase was credited with these beneficial effects. It was found that a 90 min duration of cold shock was the ideal treatment. Results showed that cold shock precooling was a useful, economical, and environmentally responsible way to reduce postharvest loss and postpone broccoli senescence during storage.

Keywords

• broccoli
• postharvest storage
• cold shock
• quality control
• molecular mechanisms