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News — Broccoli rabe (Brassica rapa subsp. sylvestris), a key component of Mediterranean diets, is celebrated for its bitter flavor and abundant antioxidants and glucosinolates. However, its short shelf-life and susceptibility to spoilage make it difficult to store and market. Conventional preservation methods often fail to maintain its nutritional integrity, while improper packaging can lead to off-flavors. The rise of organic farming and increasing consumer demand for fresh-cut produce have underscored the need for sustainable storage techniques. Although modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) shows promise, its impact on nutrient dynamics—particularly on stress-responsive metabolites like γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and lactic acid (LA)—remains largely unexplored. This gap has made it essential to investigate how specific storage conditions affect the metabolic and genetic pathways of broccoli rabe.

A recent published on September 28, 2024, in , led by researchers from Italy's National Research Council and Sapienza University, delves into how various storage methods impact the nutrient profile of organic broccoli rabe. By leveraging advanced techniques like NMR and RNA-seq, the team compared freshly harvested florets with those stored either fresh or in MAP for four days. The results were striking: florets stored in passive MAP (10% Oâ‚‚, 12% COâ‚‚) exhibited a remarkable 23-fold increase in GABA levels and significant LA content, revealing a clear link to hypoxia-induced gene expression and highlighting the potential for optimizing post-harvest vegetable quality.

The study uncovered dramatic shifts in the metabolism of packaged broccoli rabe florets. Carbohydrate levels decreased by 52–84%, while stress-related amino acids such as phenylalanine and valine increased by 30–550%. GABA levels soared by an astounding 2,300%, and LA—absent in fresh florets—was detected at 1.86 mg/g DW in packaged samples. RNA-seq analysis revealed over 8,000 genes with altered expression, including key enzymes in the GABA and LA pathways (e.g., GAD, LDH). Notably, the accumulation of GABA was driven by the repression of its catabolism (GABA-T), while LA production was promoted by increased pyruvate kinase activity. The study further highlighted the connection between declining sugars and rising GABA/LA, suggesting a redirection of carbon metabolism under low-oxygen conditions. Additionally, the study identified transcription factors (bZIP, WRKY, ERF) that regulate these metabolic shifts, providing a valuable genetic roadmap for optimizing storage methods to maximize health benefits without sacrificing flavor.

Dr. Donato Giannino, the corresponding author, emphasized the significance of their findings:＂Our work reveals how simple packaging adjustments can transform broccoli rabe into a functional food. The hypoxia-driven accumulation of GABA and LA mirrors natural stress responses, but here, it’s harnessed for nutritional enhancement. This paves the way for industry to develop packaging that not only preserves but actively boosts bioactive compounds.＂　Co-author Giulio Testone added,＂The transcriptional networks we uncovered could guide breeding efforts to create crops that are both stress-resilient and nutrient-dense.＂

This research offers timely insights for the growing organic and fresh-cut markets, where consumers are increasingly seeking nutrient-dense produce. Farmers and processors may benefit from adopting short-duration MAP to increase GABA and LA levels, which could appeal to health-conscious consumers. For the food industry, refining gas compositions and storage timelines could reduce waste while enhancing product quality. Moreover, the genetic markers identified in the study may enable the development of broccoli rabe varieties that naturally retain higher levels of these stress-related metabolites. The methodology employed in this research—combining NMR and RNA-seq—could also set a new precedent for studying other perishable crops. However, ensuring that these nutrient gains do not compromise sensory quality is critical, and follow-up studies will need to assess consumer acceptance of MAP-treated florets. Ultimately, this work bridges agronomy, food science, and nutrition, offering practical strategies for a more sustainable and health-oriented agricultural future.

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Funding information

This work was funded by projects Top of the Crops (A0375-2020-36731) - Progetti Gruppi di Ricerca 2020 – Regione Lazio; NUTRAGE - CNR project FOE-2021 DBA.AD005.225.

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is an open access journal of Nanjing Agricultural University and ranked number one in the Horticulture category of the Journal Citation Reports ™ from Clarivate, 2023. The journal is committed to publishing original research articles, reviews, perspectives, comments, correspondence articles and letters to the editor related to all major horticultural plants and disciplines, including biotechnology, breeding, cellular and molecular biology, evolution, genetics, inter-species interactions, physiology, and the origination and domestication of crops.