Thermal Stability of l-Ascorbic Acid and Ascorbic Acid Oxidase in Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)

ABSTRACT: The thermal stability of vitamin C (including l -ascorbic acid [l -AA] and dehydroascorbic acid [DHAA]) in crushed broccoli was evaluated in the temperature range of 30 to 90 °C whereas that of ascorbic acid oxidase (AAO) was evaluated in the temperature range of 20 to 95 °C. Thermal treatments (for 15 min) of crushed broccoli at 30 to 60 °C resulted in conversion of l -AA to DHAA whereas treatments at 70 to 90 °C retained vitamin C as l -AA. These observations indicated that enzymes (for example, AAO) could play a major role in the initial phase (that is, oxidation of l -AA to DHAA) of vitamin C degradation in broccoli. Consequently, a study to evaluate the temperature–time conditions that could result in AAO inactivation in broccoli was carried out. In this study, higher AAO activity was observed in broccoli florets than stalks. During thermal treatments for 10 min, AAO in broccoli florets and stalks was stable until around 50 °C. A 10-min thermal treatment at 80 °C almost completely inactivated AAO in broccoli. AAO inactivation followed 1st order kinetics in the temperature range of 55 to 65 °C. Based on this study, a thermal treatment above 70 °C is recommended for crushed vegetable products to prevent oxidation of l -AA to DHAA, the onset of vitamin C degradation. Practical Application : The results reported in this study are applicable for both domestic and industrial processing of vegetables into products such as juices, soups, and purees. In this report, we have demonstrated that processing crushed broccoli in a temperature range of 30 to 60 °C could result in the conversion of l -ascorbic acid to dehydroascorbic (DHAA), a very important reaction in regard to vitamin C degradation because DHAA could be easily converted to other compounds that do not have the biological activity of vitamin C.     

Broccoli Storage: Effect of N6-benzyladenine, Packaging, and Icing on Color of Fresh Broccoli

Broccoli plants and heads were treated with N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) as either a preharvest spray (25 or 50 ppm) or a postharvest dip (25 or 50 ppm) with 0.1% Tween 20. BA-treated and untreated samples were stored at 0–l°C for 10 wk using one of three storage methods - control, icing, or packaging. Subjective color evaluation was the most sensitive measure of color changes during storage. Chlorophyll concentration was a better objective measurement of color changes than instrumental color values. Acceptable broccoli color was noted in iced and packaged samples at 10 wk of storage. Preharvest treatment with BA (25 ppm) resulted in the best color retention in iced and packed samples. Use of a yellowing-resistant variety and storage treatments (icing and packaging) were the most important factors in improved shelf-life.     

可溶性糖介导的荧光照射延缓鲜切西兰花衰老黄化

鲜切西兰花极易衰老黄化,严重影响其感官质量和商品价值。为减缓鲜切西兰花衰老黄化,延长贮藏期,研究荧光照射（光照）处理（24 μmol/（m2·s）、12 h/d）对鲜切西兰花贮藏期间（7 ℃、5 d）衰老黄化的影响。结果表明：和黑暗对照相比,光照处理能够显著维持鲜切西兰花叶绿素含量,降低黄化指数（P＜0.05）,同时诱导葡萄糖、蔗糖和果糖累积,与贮藏初期（第0天）相比,3 种糖在贮藏第5天分别增加了106%、73%和70%;进一步用0、40、80、120、160 mmol/L外源葡萄糖溶液对鲜切西兰花进行培养,结果发现在一定浓度范围（0～120 mmol/L）内,随着外源葡萄糖浓度增加,鲜切西兰花内源葡萄糖含量显著上升,黄化指数显著下降（P＜0.05）,而且黄化指数与外源葡萄糖浓度、内源葡萄糖含量呈极显著负相关（P＜0.01）,相关系数分别为－0.958和－0.878。因此,光照处理延缓鲜切西兰花黄化可能与其诱导的可溶性糖尤其是葡萄糖累积有关。     

Freezing Characteristics and Storage Stability of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis L.) Under Osmodehydrofreezing and Ultrasound-Assisted Osmodehydrofreezing Treatments

Freezing characteristics (freezing time, latent heat of fusion of ice, and freezable water content) and quality parameters (drip loss, color, firmness, and l-ascorbic acid content) of broccoli (osmodehydrofrozen and ultrasound-assisted osmodehydrofrozen) during frozen storage were investigated. Freezing time, latent heat of fusion of ice, and freezable water content of osmodehydrated samples decreased significantly compared to samples which were not under osmotic dehydration. The changes of drip loss, color, firmness, and l-ascorbic acid content of osmodehydrofrozen and ultrasound-assisted osmodehydrofrozen broccoli during frozen storage were inhibited markedly compared to samples which were not submitted to osmotic dehydration before freezing. Compared to osmotic dehydration, the ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydration shortened the needed dehydration time and better preserved the firmness and l-ascorbic acid content after osmotic dehydration pretreatment. In addition, the ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydration minimized the drip loss and loss of l-ascorbic acid content and better maintained the color and firmness when stored at ?25 °C for 6 months. These findings indicate that it is promising to apply ultrasound-assisted osmodehydrofreezing in freezing and frozen storage of food.     

1-甲基环丙烯和壳聚糖对鲜切西兰花活性氧代谢及保鲜效果的影响

研究1-甲基环丙烯(1-MCP)、壳聚糖对鲜切西兰花贮藏期间活性氧代谢及保鲜效果的影响。实验设置1-MCP(2μL/L)、壳聚糖(2%)及1-MCP联合壳聚糖3个处理,以未加处理的鲜切西兰花为对照,对鲜切西兰花10℃贮藏期间的相关指标进行测定。结果表明:1-MCP处理能显著降低呼吸作用,维持较高的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)活性,减少了O-2.和H2O2及MDA在体内的积累,延缓VC和叶绿素含量的下降,表现出很好的贮藏效果;壳聚糖处理与1-MCP处理效果相反,缩短了鲜切西兰花的贮藏时期;与对照相比,1-MCP联合壳聚糖虽有一定保鲜效果,但两者差异不明显。     

Determination and Evaluation Employing Multivariate Analysis of the Mineral Composition of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. Italica)

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. Italica) is a vegetable food that belongs to the family Cruciferaceae, and it is a good source of vitamins and minerals. Among other characteristics, the kind of culture (conventional or organic), the climate of origin, and the way a vegetal will be consumed influence directly in the concentrations of minerals. The aim of this work was to determine mineral composition (Fe, Mn, Zn, K, Ca, Mg, and Na) of 16 broccoli samples collected in four cities of Bahia, Brazil, in summer and winter, from organic and conventional cultures. These elements were also determined in a lot of raw and cooked summer samples and then all results were evaluated using multivariate analysis. Broccoli samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry after digestion with HNO₃ and H₂O₂. The results expressed as milligrams of element per 100 g of sample demonstrated that the concentration ranges for conventional and organic broccoli varied, respectively, from 0.13 to 0.90 and 0.14–1.18, for iron; from 0.15 to 1.79 and 0.04–1.40, for manganese; from 0.20 to 1.58 and 0.17–1.28, for zinc; from 317.65 to 484.45 and 321.58–521.78 for potassium; from 7.14 to 153.50 and 9.38–131.55, for calcium; from 21.09 to 47.15 and 29.51–61.23, for magnesium; from 3.66 to 21.21 and 1.89–27.09 for sodium. The accuracy of the method was confirmed by analysis of a certified reference material of spinach leaves (NIST 1570a). The statistical evaluation of the obtained results showed that broccoli samples were not differentiated by city of origin, station, or culture. Nevertheless, by comparing raw and cooked samples, it was noticed a tendency of separation in the principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis.     

西兰花热风干燥特性及品质研究

目的 探究不同切分大小和不同干燥温度对西兰花粉品质的影响。方法 新鲜的西兰花经过汽蒸处理后进行切分(3 cm ×3 cm, 0.5 cm×0.5 cm)和干燥(55、60、65、70、75、80 ℃)处理, 并对西兰花粉干燥过程中含水量变化以及叶绿素、花色苷、总酚、维生素C、可溶性蛋白、萝卜硫苷含量和萝卜硫素形成量 进行研究。结果 随着干燥温度的升高, 切分程度越小的西兰花干燥速率增长越快。高温使西兰花粉中绿色损失, 80 ℃ (3 cm×3 cm)的粉末颜色较差、叶绿素损失显著多于其他粉末, 其它处理的粉末颜色均较好。西兰花粉叶绿素和萝卜硫苷含量均随干燥温度升高呈先升高后降低的趋势, 总酚含量随温度变化无显著差异 (p＞0.05)。70 ℃ (3 cm×3 cm)处理的西兰花粉花色苷、维生素C和可溶性蛋白含量最高。65 ℃(3 cm×3 cm)的西兰花粉中萝卜硫素形成量最高, 为5.37 mg/g, 与70 ℃(3 cm×3 cm)的无显著差异。结论 经80 s汽蒸预处理, 花球直径和茎梗长度切分为3 cm, 在70 ℃热风干燥 处理200 min制得的西兰花粉品质最佳。     

Development of a Novel Functional Soup Rich in Bioactive Sulforaphane Using Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. ssp. italica) Florets and Byproducts

Broccoli florets are rich in health-promoting compounds such as glucoraphanin, the precursor of the bioactive compound sulforaphane. In addition, broccoli byproducts such as stalk also contain health-promoting compounds and represent attractive ingredients in the development of functional foods. The bioconversion of glucosinolates into bioactive isothiocyanates is affected by many factors including heat and therefore cooking of Brassica such as broccoli may result in significant loss of sulforaphane production. The aim of this study was to develop a suitable food system as a vehicle for the delivery of sulforaphane in the human diet in adequate quantities. To this end, the feasibility of dry-mix ready soup as a food matrix for the delivery of broccoli floret and byproducts was evaluated. In particular, this study investigated the bioconversion of glucosinolates into bioactive isothiocyanates during the cooking process of this novel food product by microwave heating. In addition to total isothiocyanate and sulforaphane content, other key physical and biochemical quality attributes of the broccoli floret- and byproduct-enriched soups were investigated. Total isothiocyanate and sulforaphane content in floret- and stalk-enriched soups was high in both cases and increased in the order stalk<floret. The overall acceptability of stalk containing soups was not significantly different compared with the control soups, whereas floret containing soups received significantly lower acceptability scores. These results suggest that ready soups prepared by microwave heating represent a feasible food product for the delivery of broccoli florets and byproducts which is compatible with the bioconversion of glucosinolates into bioactive isothiocyanates.     

Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extract of Brassica oleracea L. var. italica

In this study, antioxidant activities of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Brassica oleracea L. var. italica were investigated. The antioxidant properties of both extracts of Brassica oleracea L. var. italica were evaluated using different antioxidant tests, including 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, superoxide radical scavenging, inhibition of microsomal lipid peroxidation, reduction of power, and metal ion chelating activities. Inhibition of superoxide scavenging by aqueous and ethanolic extracts showed an IC₅₀ of 0.93 and 0.25 mg/ml, respectively. Metal ion chelation showed an IC₅₀ of 0.35 mg/ml of both the extracts and was equipotent to positive control, ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid. The ethanolic extract of Brassica oleracea L. var. italica exhibited higher antioxidant activity in DPPH radical and superoxide anion scavenging than that of aqueous extract. The results obtained in the in vitro models clearly suggest that, Brassica oleracea L. var. italica is a natural source for antioxidants, which could serve as a nutraceutical with potential applications in reducing the level of oxidative stress and related health benefits. However, comprehensive studies need to be conducted to ascertain the in vivo safety of such extracts in experimental animal models.     

Hot air treatment decreases chlorophyll catabolism during postharvest senescence of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) heads

A hot air treatment was applied to broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) florets and its effect on chlorophyll catabolism during postharvest senescence was analyzed. Florets were treated at 48 °C for 3 h and then placed in darkness at 20 °C. During storage, the yellowing of florets occurred simultaneously with a decrease in chlorophylls and an increase in pheophytins. Heat treatment delayed the appearance of yellowing by 2–3 days and a similar extension of shelf‐life could be inferred. Also, the treatment delayed the onset of chlorophyll catabolism and slowed both the rate of chlorophyll a degradation and pheophytin accumulation. No effect on chlorophyll b degradation was found. Chlorophyllase and Mg‐dechelatase activities increased from the first day of storage in untreated florets, whereas peroxidase‐linked chlorophyll bleaching activity increased from day 3. In heat‐treated florets, chlorophyllase activity did not increase until day 2 and then increased at lower rate than in controls. Mg‐dechelatase and peroxidase‐linked chlorophyll bleaching activities were similar in treated and control florets during the first 2 days of storage, but thereafter the activity of both enzymes was lower in heat‐treated samples. In conclusion, a treatment at 48 °C for 3 h delayed chlorophyll a catabolism in broccoli during postharvest senescence and decreased the activities of chlorophyllase, Mg‐dechelatase and peroxidase, three of the enzymes probably involved in chlorophyll degradation in plants. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Combined Post-harvest Treatments for Improving Quality and Extending Shelf-Life of Minimally Processed Broccoli Florets (<Emphasis Type=Italic>Brassica oleracea var. italica</Emphasis>)

Broccoli is an important source of many nutritional and bioactive compounds. However, its shelf-life is very short due to physicochemical losses and microbiological degradation. This study was undertaken to implement treatments that could improve the quality of ready-to-eat (RTE) broccoli during storage by evaluating the effect of pre-treatment with calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and alginate coating on the physicochemical and microbial properties of RTE broccoli. Broccoli florets were pre-treated with three different concentrations of CaCl₂ (1, 2.5, and 4 g L^?1), then coated with an alginate formulation (13 g L^?1) and stored at 4 °C for 24 days. Texture, color, weight loss, respiration rate, and total mesophilic flora (TMF) counts were evaluated at days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 24 of storage. The obtained results in this study showed that combining pre-treatment with calcium and alginate coating led to reducing the weight loss and respiration rate of broccoli, maintaining its color and texture as well as extending its shelf-life by 6 days. These results not only allowed reducing post-harvest losses resulting in the loss of the product but also have a major impact on the environment and resources involved in the production process.     

Glucosinolates in broccoli sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. italica) as conditioned by sulphate supply during germination

Sulphur (S) fertilization is essential for primary and secondary metabolism in cruciferous foods. Deficient, suboptimal, or excessive S affects the growth and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in adult plants. Nevertheless, there is little information regarding the influence of S fertilization on sprouts and seedlings. An experiment was set up to evaluate the effect of S fertilization, supplied as K(2)SO(4) at 0, 15, 30, and 60 mg/L, on the glucosinolate content of broccoli sprouts during the germination course of 3, 6, 9, and 12 d after sowing. Glucosinolate concentration was strongly influenced by germination, causing a rapid increase during the first 3 d after sowing, and decreasing afterwards. The S supply increased aliphatic and total glucosinolate content at the end of the monitored sprouting period. S-treated sprouts, with S(15), S(30), and S(60) at 9 and 12 d after sowing presented enhanced glucosinolate content. Overall, both germination time and S fertilization were key factors in maximizing the bioactive health-promoting phytochemicals of broccoli. Practical Application: Germination with sulphate is a simple and inexpensive way to obtain sprouts that contain much higher levels of glucosinolates (health promoting compounds), than the corresponding florets from the same seeds.     

Comparison of two sample preparation techniques for sniffing experiments with broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck)

The suitability of the headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) for gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) with aroma extract dilution analysis in comparison to the dynamic head space sampling on a Tenax trap was tested exemplarily by the aroma volatiles of fresh broccoli. A high number of odour sensations in qualitative olfactometry was registered with both sample preparation techniques. The key aroma compounds of the fresh broccoli material are represented by high flavour dilution factors with dynamic head space sampling and headspace SPME. The SPME method has found to be a convenient and fast technique suitable especially for qualitative GC-O. The adsorption selectivity of the fiber and the substance discrimination have to be taken into account for quantitative use like aroma extract dilution analysis     

Effect of controlled atmospheres with varying O2/CO2 levels on the postharvest senescence and quality of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) florets

Controlled atmosphere (CA) has been widely used to help extend the shelf life and maintain the quality of horticultural products. In the present study, broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. cv. Youxiu) florets were stored under CA with high levels of O₂/CO₂ at 15 °C, including 100 % O₂, 80 % O₂ + 20 % CO₂, 60 % O₂ + 40 % CO₂, 40 % O₂ + 60 % CO₂, and air (control), to determine the effects of CA on storage period and on some physiological properties during storage. The results showed that compared with the control, the treatments combining O₂ and CO₂ effectively extended the storage period and inhibited respiration rate, ethylene production, and reductions in weight loss, chlorophyll, and ascorbic acid levels. Moreover, the CA treatments inhibited the increases in both superoxide radicals (O ₂ ^?· ) production rate and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) level and reduced malondialdehyde accumulation, which could be beneficial in delay of senescence by alleviation of oxidative damage. In addition, broccoli florets exposed to CA conditions maintained lower activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase that are responsible for scavenging of O ₂ ^?· and H₂O₂ and alleviating lipid peroxidation. Among the treatments, the maximum efficacy was observed with a CA of 40 % O₂ + 60 % CO₂, which prolonged the storage period of broccoli heads to 17 days (d) compared with 4 d under air treatment. Conversely, 100 % O₂ treatment accelerated senescence and deterioration in the quality of broccoli, resulting in a shorter storage period. These results suggest that the establishment of an appropriate CA condition with high levels of O₂/CO₂ may be an ideal strategy for maintaining the quality of broccoli florets during storage.