Antioxidant activity in broccoli cultivars (Brassica oleracea var. italica) as affected by storage conditions.

摘要

An experiment was conducted in Norway during 2001 and 2002 to determine the effect of different storage conditions on the antioxidant activity of broccoli cultivars Marathon, Montop and Lord. Broccoli heads were stored at 1 and 5 degrees C in either controlled atmosphere (2% O2/6% CO2 and 0.5-1% O2/10% CO2) or in air for 4 weeks. The heads were analysed for total antioxidant activity, vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and dry matter at the time of harvest and after storage. Total antioxidant activity was expressed by means of the FRAP (Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma) assay. The main result, as described by principal component analyses, was the variation between the years. The effect of controlled atmosphere storage was of minor importance, but antioxidant activity and the vitamin C content increased in stored broccoli compared with fresh broccoli florets. An effect of storage temperature was observed the first year, but not the second year. In the second year, Montop showed higher values of FRAP, L-ascorbic acid and dry matter. Lord showed lower values for FRAP, L-ascorbic acid and dry matter whereas Marathon was in between, with a considerable overlap between samples..