title: Temperature and light conditions at different latitudes affect sensory quality of broccoli florets (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) is a popular vegetable grown at a wide range of latitudes. Plants were grown in 2009-2011 in pots with standardized soil, irrigation and nutrient supply under natural temperature and light conditions at four locations (42-70° N). A descriptive sensory analysis of broccoli florets was performed by a trained panel to examine any differences along the latitudinal gradient for 30 attributes within appearance, odour, taste/flavour and texture.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average results over three summer seasons in Germany, southern Norway and northern Norway showed that the northernmost location with low temperatures and long days had highest scores for bud coarseness and uniform colour, while broccoli from the German location, with high temperatures and shorter days, had highest intensity of colour hue, whiteness, bitter taste, cabbage flavour, stale flavour and watery flavour. Results from two autumn seasons at the fourth location (42° N, Spain), with low temperatures and short days, tended toward results from the two northernmost locations, with an exception for most texture attributes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results clearly demonstrate that temperature and light conditions related to latitude and season affect the sensory quality of broccoli florets. Results may be used in marketing special quality regional or seasonal products. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors.affiliation: Nibio - Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, NO-1431, Ås, Norway.
authors.forename: Tor J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Johansen
authors.affiliation: Nibio - Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, NO-1431, Ås, Norway.
authors.forename: Jørgen Ab
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4788-1821
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Mølmann
authors.affiliation: Nofima - Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, NO-1431, Ås, Norway.
authors.forename: Gunnar B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Bengtsson
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops Großbeeren/Erfurt eV (IGZ), DE-14979, Großbeeren, Germany.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schreiner
authors.affiliation: Plant Genetics Department, Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Pontevedra, Spain.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Velasco
authors.affiliation: Nibio - Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, NO-1431, Ås, Norway.
authors.forename: Anne L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Hykkerud
authors.affiliation: Plant Genetics Department, Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), Pontevedra, Spain.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cartea
authors.affiliation: Nofima - Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, NO-1431, Ås, Norway.
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lea
authors.affiliation: Nofima - Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, NO-1431, Ås, Norway.
authors.forename: Josefine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Skaret
authors.affiliation: Nibio - Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, NO-1431, Ås, Norway.
authors.forename: Randi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seljåsen
mesh_terms: D000531:Altitude; D001937:Brassica / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003116:Color; D005519:Food Preservation; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D009664:Norway; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development / Q000528:radiation effects; D013649:Taste; D013696:Temperature
keywords: Brassica oleracea L. var. italica; climate; latitudes; pre-harvest; semi-field; sensory quality