Abstract
Several treatments were applied in order to delay postharvest degreening in broccoli florets and investigate their effects on genes associated with chlorophyll catabolism. Degradation of chlorophylls is the most evident visual manifestation of broccoli postharvest deterioration, occurring rapidly due to the immature stage in which the material is harvested. Treatments such as storage in modified atmosphere, exposure to hot air, UV-C and white lamps were employed in the current work to induce a delay in degreening and chlorophyll degradation. Expression of genes possibly related to chlorophyll catabolism was analyzed in these samples and discussed. Chlorophyllases, the enzymes traditionally believed to remove the phytol side chain from chlorophyll appear to have a gene expression that was not regulated by postharvest treatments. Pheophytinase, a recently discovered new enzyme in this metabolic pathway, correlated chlorophyll loss accurately in heat, UV-C and white-light treatments, but not in modified atmospheres. Results presented in this work indicate that postharvest treatments that delay chlorophyll degradation have a higher effect on the expression of pheophytinase rather than on chlorophyllase genes.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
