ISHS Acta Horticulturae 343: Physiological Basis of Postharvest Technologies
PRODUCTION OF METHANETHIOL BY ANAEROBIC BROCCOLI AND MICROORGANISMS |
| Authors: | C.F. Forney, P.D. Hildebrand, M.E. Saltveit |
| Abstract:
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L., Italica Group), when held in low O2 atmospheres, produces methanethiol (MT) which results in an objectionable off-odor. The production of MT has been reported to occur from numerous microorganisms, but there are few reports of it being produced by higher plants. This study explored whether MT from anaerobic broccoli originates from tissues or microorganisms or both. Bacteria were isolated from healthy broccoli florets and isolates were cultured on Pseudomonas Agar F in test tube slants. Cultures were sealed, flushed with N2, and after 24 hr the head space in the tubes was analyzed for MT using a gas chromatograph with a flame photometric detector. More than half of the 56 aerobic bacteria isolates produced MT. To determine if broccoli plants could produce MT without microorganisms, sterile broccoli seedlings were grown in Mason jars on agar containing ½-strength Murashige and Skoog medium and 20 g/L sucrose at 25C and 16 hr photoperiod. After 4 to 8 weeks jars with sterile seedlings were sealed and flushed with N2. After 24 hr at 20C the headspace was analyzed for MT and sterile seedlings were found to produce MT. | |
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