Antioxidant ability of broccoli flower buds during short-term storage

Some metabolic changes in broccoli heads stored under commonly-applied conditions were investigated. Freshly harvested broccoli of Lord cultivar were stored at 20 degreesC and at 5 degreesC for 3 and 7 days, respectively, either non-packaged or packaged in polymeric film samples. Short-term storage at room temperature induced accumulation of total phenols, especially in non-packaged broccoli. With low-temperature treatment, phenol content rose only after 7 day storage of non-packaged heads. Both low temperature and application of polymeric foil stopped losses of ascorbic acid. Total antioxidant activity increased considerably during storage in all treatments. Changes of fatty acids were manifested as a slight decrease in saturated fatty acids in cold storage and increase of polyunsaturated fatty acids in most treatments. Metabolism of fatty acids did not correspond to thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (products of lipid peroxidation).