The aim of the study of Wunderlich et al. [39] was to
examine the nutritional quality of broccoli using vitamin C
in broccoli as a biomarker. Although the vitamin C content
of organically and conventionally labeled broccoli was not
significantly different, significant seasonal changes have
been observed. The seasonal changes in vitamin C content
were larger than the differences between organically
labeled and conventionally grown broccoli.
The remarkable difference in results obtained by the
above-cited authors could result from different cultivation
parameters, dissimilar storage conditions after harvesting,
and different varieties of the same species used for their
research. Low storage temperature helps preserve vitamin
C in vegetables [40]. Vitamin C content can be lowered by
exposure to oxygen, high temperature, trace amounts of
metals, or heightened ethylene concentration in storage
facilities [41].