Abstract
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.) with or without leaf stalks was stored to determine the effects of leaf stalks on quality of florets. The broccoli heads were harvested at early summer and autumn and stored at 3°C. Chlorophyll (Chl) a content in early summer-harvested broccoli with or without leaf stalks decreased gradually during storage, while that in autumn-harvested one hardly changed. L-Ascorbic acid content in broccoli with or without leaf stalks also decreased gradually during storage. In contrast to these changes, sucrose content in broccoli without leaf stalks decreased during storage, whereas the attached leaf stalks definitely reduced the decrease in both early summer and autumn harvests. In fructose content, the attached leaf stalks also reduced the decline a little in early summer harvest. Thus, the broccoli with leaf stalks is hardly affected the decrease of Chl and ascorbic acid, but effectively reduced the decrease of sugars. We discussed the effect of attached leaf stalks on the quality maintenance in stored broccoli.
