Ultrastructural Changes in Chloroplasts in Harvested Broccoli Flower Buds During Senescence

Abstract

Green broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. Italica Group) flower heads were stored in perforated polyethylene bags at 20C. Green color of sepals in broccoli flower buds changed to yellow and individual flower buds wilted gradually during storage. Chlorophyllase activity in flower buds tended to increase and chlorophyll content decreased during senescence. Optical and scanning electron microscopic observations were conducted to elucidate the structural changes of chloroplasts in sepals of broccoli flower buds through the senescence. The chloroplasts observed with optical microscope were fine and green when the stage of broccoli flower buds was all green. However, at half-yellow stage, the shapes of chloroplasts obscured and the green color faded. After this stage, colored small particles appeared in the cells and the number of particles tended to increase as yellowing of the flower buds progressed through the senescence. Scanning electron micrographs indicated that the small particles were formed in the chloroplasts and come out from them with senescence followed by aggregation with each other.