QUALITY COMPARISON BETWEEN ORGANIC- AND CONVENTIONAL-GROWN CAULIFLOWERS (BRASSICA OLERACEA L., SUBSP. BOTRYTIS): RESULTS FROM THE THIRD YEAR OF VALORBIO PROJECT

The presence of healthy phytochemicals was monitored in four cauliflower cultivars (‘Emeraude’, early/late ‘Velox’ and ‘Jesino’) by comparing conventional and organic agrosystems. The amount of sulphur volatiles, glucosinolates, ascorbic acid, total polyphenols, total carotenoids and antioxidant capacity were determined. The differences between the two systems of cultivation were discussed by comparing results of 2010-2011 and 2012 cropping cycles. We noted a general increase of volatile sulphurs and of the most bioactive glucosinolates in organic samples in 2012 and a general decrease of antioxidant compounds with the exception of polyphenols in both organic and conventional systems in 2012, due to the different environmental condi¬tions, especially regarding a rain-water stress.