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Use of 1‐methylcyclopropene to extend the postharvest life of lettuce
Author(s) -
Wills Ron B H,
Ku Vivian V V,
Warton Michelle A
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.1188
Subject(s) - fumigation , postharvest , 1 methylcyclopropene , shelf life , horticulture , ethylene , chemistry , food science , biology , botany , agronomy , catalysis , biochemistry
This study examined the effect of fumigation of iceberg lettuce with 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) at 0.1–1 µl l −1 for 1–5 h on the storage life at 5 °C in air containing 0.1 µl l −1 ethylene. 1‐MCP extended the storage life of shredded lettuce at all concentrations, with the optimal treatment being fumigation with 0.1 µl l −1 1‐MCP for 1 h at 5 °C, which resulted in an extension in storage life of about 50% over untreated lettuce. Application of this treatment to whole lettuce heads resulted in a 100% increase in storage life. 1‐MCP thus appears to be of considerable commercial potential for the lettuce industry. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry