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Plant Physiol, February 2001, Vol. 125, pp. 718-727
Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of Postharvest
Senescence in Broccoli
Tania
Page,
Gareth
Griffiths, and
Vicky
Buchanan-Wollaston*
Department of Plant Genetics and Biotechnology, Horticulture
Research International, Wellesbourne, Warwick CV35 9EF, United
Kingdom
Postharvest senescence in broccoli (Brassica
oleracea L. var Italica) florets results in phenotypic changes
similar to those seen in developmental leaf senescence. To compare
these two processes in more detail, we investigated molecular and
biochemical changes in broccoli florets stored at two different
temperatures after harvest. We found that storage at cooler
temperatures delayed the symptoms of senescence at both the biochemical
and gene expression levels. Changes in key biochemical components
(lipids, protein, and chlorophyll) and in gene expression patterns
occurred in the harvested tissue well before any visible signs of
senescence were detected. Using previously identified
senescence-enhanced genes and also newly isolated, differentially
expressed genes, we found that the majority of these showed a similar
enhancement of expression in postharvest broccoli as in developmental
leaf senescence. At the biochemical level, a rapid loss of membrane
fatty acids was detected after harvest, when stored at room
temperature. However, there was no corresponding increase in levels of
lipid peroxidation products. This, together with an increased
expression of protective antioxidant genes, indicated that, in the
initial stages of postharvest senescence, an orderly dismantling of the
cellular constituents occurs, using the available lipid as an energy
source. Postharvest changes in broccoli florets, therefore, show many
similarities to the processes of developmental leaf senescence.
*
Corresponding author; e-mail vicky.b-wollaston{at}hri.ac.uk;
fax 44-1789-470552.
© 2001 American Society of Plant Physiologists
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