The Storage Ability of Broccoli after 1-Methylcyclopropene Treatment

• Published in: Journal of Horticultural Research Vol. 31; no. 1; pp. 71 - 80
• Main Authors: Grzegorzewska, Maria, Badełek, Ewa, Ciecierska, Anna, Fabiszewski, Karol, Rutkowski, Krzysztof P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sciendo 01.06.2023
• Subjects: carbon dioxide; ethylene; postharvest treatment; quality; senescence
• DOI: 10.2478/johr-2023-0004
• ISSN: 2353-3978

The study evaluated the effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment on broccoli quality and storage ability. Broccoli ‘Parthenon’ was treated the day after harvest with 1.0 or 3.0 cm ·m 1-MCP. The treatment was performed at 5 °C for 20 h, and then the plant material was stored at 0–1 °C for 30 or 60 d. After 30 d of refrigerated storage, broccoli was transferred to conditions simulating retail (15 °C) for 6 d. During 30 d of storage, the broccoli crowns maintained excellent quality. The fleshy stalks were slightly inferior due to the darkening of the leaf scar areas. After 60 d, there was a marked reduction in broccoli quality. Still, the positive effect of 1-MCP treatment on broccoli was observed as inhibiting the senescence of the remaining petiole fragments. During shelf life after 30 days of cold storage, broccoli treated with 1-MCP retained better quality of the crowns and fleshy stems, evident after six days of shelf life evaluation. The study did not find that 1-MCP treatment inhibited the respiration rate of broccoli, or ethylene production.