title: Effects of temperature and photoperiod on sensory quality and contents of glucosinolates, flavonols and vitamin C in broccoli florets.
abstract: Broccoli is grown around the world at a wide range of photoperiods and temperatures, which may influence both sensory quality and phytochemical contents. Florets produced in phytotron and at two semi-field sites (70 °N and 58 °N) were examined for effects of contrasting temperatures and photoperiods on sensory quality and contents of glucosinolates, flavonols and vitamin C. Growth conditions associated with high northern latitudes of low temperature and long photoperiods, produced bigger floral buds, and florets with sweeter taste and less colour hue than more southern conditions. The contents of vitamin C did not vary, while the response of individual glucosinolates varied with temperature and day length, and contents of quercetin and kaempferol were lower in phytotron than under semi-field conditions. Thus, our results show that contrasting temperatures and photoperiods influence the sensory quality of broccoli florets, while contents of different bioactive phytochemicals are not influenced in a unidirectional pattern.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research, Bioforsk Nord Holt, P.O. Box 2284, NO-9269 Tromsø, Norway. Electronic address: jorgen.molmann@bioforsk.no.
authors.forename: Jørgen A B
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Mølmann
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research, Bioforsk Nord Holt, P.O. Box 2284, NO-9269 Tromsø, Norway; Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, University of Tromsø, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Anne L H
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Steindal
authors.affiliation: Nofima-Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Osloveien 1, NO-1430 Ås, Norway.
authors.forename: Gunnar B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Bengtsson
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research, Bioforsk Øst Landvik, Reddalsveien 215, NO-4886 Grimstad, Norway.
authors.forename: Randi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seljåsen
authors.affiliation: Nofima-Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Osloveien 1, NO-1430 Ås, Norway.
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lea
authors.affiliation: Nofima-Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Osloveien 1, NO-1430 Ås, Norway.
authors.forename: Josefine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Skaret
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research, Bioforsk Nord Holt, P.O. Box 2284, NO-9269 Tromsø, Norway.
authors.forename: Tor J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Johansen
mesh_terms: D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000032:analysis*; D001937:Brassica / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D044948:Flavonols / Q000032:analysis*; D005961:Glucosinolates / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D017440:Photoperiod; D013649:Taste; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D044948:Flavonols; D005961:Glucosinolates; D001205:Ascorbic Acid
keywords: 4-Me-glucobrassicin (PubChem CID: 656563); 4-OH-glucobrassicin (PubChem CID: 656561); Ascorbic acid; Ascorbic acid (PubChem CID: 54670067); Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck; Broccoli; Flavonols; Glucobrassicin (PubChem CID: 5484743); Glucoiberin (PubChem CID: 954862); Glucoraphanin (PubChem CID: 9548634); Glucosinolates; Kaempferol (PubChem CID: 5280863); Neo-glucobrassicin (PubChem CID: 20843321); Photoperiod; Quercetin (PubChem CID: 5280343); Sensory attributes; Temperature