Identification of Knowledge and Technologies for Postharvest Use of Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) and Its By-products: A Scientometric Analysis

Abstract

Using crop by-products has become a key line of research in the current circular economy and bioeconomy scenario, specifically for extracting bioactive compounds of interest in designing and developing value-added products for food, cosmetics, health, biofuels, and animal feed industries. In Colombia, harvest and postharvest residues and crop surpluses have been underutilized as a potential source of bioactive compounds. Thus, the objective of this research is to analyze research insights and technologies used to take advantage of by-products from broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) cultivation through a methodological design that combines scientific intelligence, surveillance technology, and scientometric analysis methods and tools. We identified the current lines of research in postharvest and processing and the respective technologies in the topics of senescence, packaging and transport, shelf life, quality, drying process, and by-products, as well as research insights and technologies in health, integrated crop management, and genetics. Furthermore, the scarcity of research results on broccoli by-products and their use is highlighted, showing an opportunity to strengthen research on this topic. Finally, the challenges and future work for research on the exploitation of broccoli by-products are established based on the use of their bioactive compounds in value-added products.