Up-Cycling Broccoli Stalks into Fresh-Cut Sticks: Postharvest Strategies for Quality and Shelf-Life Enhancement

Broccoli stalks are considered an agro-industrial by-product that, in the context of fresh con- sumption, is undervalued, as only broccoli florets are typically marketed. This study evalu- ated the up-cycling of broccoli stalks into a value-added fresh-cut product through posthar- vest preservation strategies. Stalks were peeled, cut into sticks ( 8 × 8 mm × 50–100 mm ), sanitised, packaged under modified atmosphere conditions, and stored at 5 ◦C. Treat- ments included (a) calcium ascorbate...