Chlorogenic acid mitigates postharvest broccoli senescence through modulation of oxidative stress and ascorbate-glutathione cycle.

Chlorogenic acid treatment reduces postharvest broccoli yellowing by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities and oxidative stress defense mechanisms.

• Why it matters: Postharvest broccoli deterioration causes significant economic losses, and understanding how to mitigate quality decline is crucial for extending shelf life and maintaining nutritional value.
• What they did: Researchers investigated the effects of chlorogenic acid on ROS metabolism, antioxidant enzyme activities, and gene expression related to oxidative stress in broccoli, using biochemical assays and bioinformatics analysis.
• The result: CGA treatment improved broccoli quality by lowering yellowing index, increasing chlorophyll and antioxidant contents, and inducing key antioxidant and AsA-GSH cycle gene expression, suggesting its potential for postharvest preservation.