6-Benzylaminopurine delays senescence and enhances health-promoting compounds of harvested broccoli.

The effect of 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) on the color, antioxidant activity, and contents of total phenols, glucosinolate, and sulforaphane in broccoli florets was investigated. The results showed that 6-BA treatment markedly inhibited the increase of the L* value and malondialdehyde (MDA) content and retarded the decrease of the H value. 6-BA treatment reduced the rate of chlorophyll degradation by regulating the activities of chlorophyllase and Mg-dechelatase. When compared to control florets, the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and catalase (CAT) were enhanced in florets treated with 6-BA, whereas the activity of peroxidase (POD) was significantly reduced. The contents of total phenols, glucosinolate, and sulforaphane in broccoli florets were also profoundly increased after treatment with 6-BA. These results indicated that 6-BA could maintain the quality, delay senescence, and improve the nutritional value of broccoli.