OPTIMUM O-2 OR CO2 ATMOSPHERE FOR STORING BROCCOLI FLORETS AT VARIOUSTEMPERATURES

'Marathon' broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) florets were s tored in air, low O-2 (0.25%, 0.5%, and 1%) or high CO2 (3%, 6%, and 1 0%) at 0, 5, and 10C. Oxygen consumption and CO2 production were reduc ed under low O-2 or high CO2 atmosphere, the reduction being greater a t lower O-2 and higher CO2 levels. No differences were found in ethyle ne production among the different atmospheres. Low O-2 and high CO2 re tained color of broccoli florets to about the same extent at 10C but h ad no effect at 0 and 5C, Development of soft rot and browning was sup pressed by low O-2 or high CO2, but offensive off-odor occurred in 0.2 5% O-2 at all temperatures and 0.5% O-2 at 10C, These results indicate that the best 0, and CO, levels seem to be 0.5% O-2 and 10% CO2 at O and 5C, and 1% O-2 and 10% CO2 at 10C.