Abstract
Influence of vibration by practical or simulated transportation on respiration rates and chemical components of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var italica) heads was examined. Acceleration data of practical vibration were actually recorded by truck transportation, and the simulated vibration experiment was performed with a trans-simulation vibrator in the laboratory. The 0.5-1.5G of vibrating acceleration was observed on the ordinary roads, while more than 2G obtained occasionally, depending on road condition. Before the vibration, the respiration rate (CO2 production) of broccoli was approximately 250mg·kg-1·hr-1 at 15°C and 80mg·kg-1·hr-1 at 5°C. The respiration rate gradually increased to 280 mg·kg-1·hr-1 at 15°Cand 110mg·kg-1·hr-1 at 5°C for the first 20 min and then remained constant during the vibration. After the vibration, the respiration rate decreased to the initial level within 1 hr.Practical and simulated vibration did not affect counts of total soluble sugar, ascorbic acid and chlorophyll, stem firmness and freshness of broccoli.
