Chlorophyll Fluorescence as a Nondestructive Indicator of Broccoli Quality during Storage in Modified-atmosphere Packaging release_eabocwtsm5d7jewm6zescfvbbu

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine if chlorophyll fluorescence could be used as an indicator of anaerobic respiration in broccoli (<jats:italic>Brassica oleracea</jats:italic> L., Italica group) during modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP). Two types of packages were used, PD-941 bags, which provided optimum MAP conditions for broccoli (≈3 kPa O<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> plus 5 kPa CO<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>), and PD-961EZ bags, which allowed the CO<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> to accumulate (≈11 kPa CO<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>). After 28 days in MAP at 1 °C, the broccoli from both types of bag had similar appearances and weight losses. However, broccoli held in the PD-961EZ bags had developed slight to moderate alcoholic off-odors and had higher ethanol, acetaldehyde, and ethyl acetate content, as compared with broccoli in PD-941 bags. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fv/Fm, T<jats:sub>1/2</jats:sub>, Fmd, and Φ<jats:sub>PSII</jats:sub>) were lower for broccoli held in the PD-961EZ bags than in PD-941 bags, and these differences increased with storage duration. These results indicate that chlorophyll fluorescence is a reliable, rapid, nondestructive indicator of broccoli quality during MAP, and that it could be used to determine if broccoli has developed off-odors without opening the bag and disrupting the package atmosphere.
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