Sensory (color, turgor, decay) and nutritional (vitamin C, @-carotene) quality of broccoli florets were evaluated during storage at 4C in air or under a controlled atmosphere containing 2% 0, + 6% CO, (CA). Sherflife, green color and chlorophyll retention were greater under CA than in air, although loss of stem turgor was accelerated. All samples stored in air had decayed suficiently by the fourth week to be unfit for consumption, while samples stored under CA showed a few spots of decay afierfive weeks. However, CA was associated with browning at the cut suijace of the stem. Retention of vitamin C was slightly greater in CA than in air, while @-carotene content increased at the end of CA storage. Returning the samples to ambient conditions for 24 h afer storage under either conditions resulted in chlorophyll and vitamin C losses, whereas @-carotene content remained stable.