Abstract: In order to explore the relationship between chlorophyll content and color change of post-harvest broccoli during storage, a prediction model for chlorophyll content was established based on color parameter changes. Freshly harvested broccoli was stored at different temperatures (273, 278, 283, 293 K and 303 K), and the color parameter －a/b value and chlorophyll content of broccoli were determined. Kinetic models of －a/b value and chlorophyll content with respect to storage time and temperature were established on the basis of Arrhenius equation. In addition, a prediction model for chlorophyll content based on －a/b value was further developed according to the linear relationship between chlorophyll content and －a/b value. Moreover, the prediction model for chlorophyll content based on －a/b value was validated using broccoli stored at 275, 280, 285, 295 K and 305 K with a relative prediction error of 4.31%. The chlorophyll content of broccoli can be accurately predicted at the storage temperature from 273 K to 305 K using this prediction model. Therefore, the prediction model is acceptable for applying the color parameter －a/b to evaluate broccoli quality.

Key words: broccoli, chlorophyll content, color parameter, prediction model