Chao-Kai Chang, Wei-Ting Lee, Sheng-Yen Tsai, Rizka Mulyani, Shella Permatasari Santoso, Kuan-Chen Cheng, Chang-Wei Hsieh
Broccoli ( Brassica oleracea var. italica ) is limited by a short shelf life and nutrient retention during storage. This study investigates the synergy of pulsed electric field (PEF) and Controlled Freezing point (CFP) storage at −2 °C. Among the treatments, 25 kV/m PEF with CF (CFPEF25) provided superior preservation for more than 24 days. Compared with conventional refrigeration (CR), CFPEF25 maintained a color difference (ΔE) of 2.2 after 24 days, representing an 80.5% reduction. CFPEF25 maintained firmness at a level 2.41-fold higher than that of CR, while weight loss was limited to 7.42% ± 0.35%. CFPEF25 also preserved phenolics (61.03 ± 0.33 mg/g), chlorophyll (7.32 ± 0.06 mg/100 g FW), and glucosinolates (approximately 4 times higher) better than CR. Oxidative damage was mitigated, with malondialdehyde restricted to 3.17 ± 0.24 nmol/g FW. Microstructural observations confirmed a preservation of cellular integrity. In conclusion, PEFCF, specifically CFPEF25, extends broccoli shelf life via a triple mechanism: lowering nucleation temperature and regulating metabolism. © 2026 Elsevier Ltd.
Department of Food Science, National Ilan University, Shennong Road, Yilan City, 26047, Taiwan; Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung City, 402202, Taiwan; International Doctoral Program in Agriculture, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung City, 402202, Taiwan; Department of Agricultural Product Technology, Sebelas Maret University, Central Java, Surakarta City, Indonesia; Department of Chemical Engineering, Widya Mandala Surabaya Catholic University, Surabaya, 60114, Indonesia; Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Techology, Taipei City, 10607, Taiwan; Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, 106216, Taiwan; Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, 106216, Taiwan; Department of Optometry, Asia University, Taichung City, 413305, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung City, 404333, Taiwan; Department of Food Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, 242062, Taiwan; Advanced Plant and Food Crop Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung City, 40227, Taiwan