Abstract: In order to explore the effects of two key parameters: storage temperature and silicon gum film window area on the quality maintenance of broccoli stored in modified atmosphere packaging and to determine the optimal parameter combination of modified atmosphere packaging with silicon window, samples of cold-resistant broccoli in Gansu Province (weighing 5 kg each) were packaged in polyethylene (PE) bags with a silicon gum film window of 12, 8 and 6 cm2 in area and then stored at 4, 2 and 0 ℃, respectively. For each storage temperature, packaging without a silicon gum film window was performed as a control. The changes in physiological and nutritional properties of broccoli were measured during 25 days of storage. The results showed that the quality of broccoli was maintained better by packaging with than without a silicon gum film window. A silicon gum film window area of 8 cm2 combined with a storage temperature of 2 ℃ (8 cm2 + 2 ℃) could preserve the quality of broccoli better than 12 cm2 + 4 ℃ and 6 cm2 + 12 ℃. To verify the rationality of the designed silicon gum film window areas, the changes in physiological parameters and nutritional quality of broccoli packaged with silicon gum film windows of 6, 8 and 10 cm2 were investigated during 25 days of storage at 2 ℃, which was selected as the best storage temperature. The results showed that the quality of broccoli was preserved better by packaging with a silicon gum film window of 8 cm2 than 6 and 10 cm2, confirming the rationality of the designed silicon gum film window areas. The results of this study can provide a basis for modified atmosphere preservation of broccoli with silicon gum film window.

Key words: broccoli; modified atmosphere packaging with silicon gum film window; storage temperature; silicon gum film window area; screening; verification