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Response of Pink Lady ® apples to post‐harvest application of 1‐methylcyclopropene as a function of applied dose, maturity at harvest, storage time and controlled atmosphere storage
Author(s) -
Cocci Emiliano,
Sacchetti Giampiero,
Rocculi Pietro,
Dalla Rosa Marco
Publication year - 2014
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.6610
Subject(s) - 1 methylcyclopropene , ripening , controlled atmosphere , horticulture , cold storage , softening , chemistry , shelf life , maturity (psychological) , ethylene , food science , biology , mathematics , biochemistry , psychology , developmental psychology , statistics , catalysis
BACKGROUND 1‐Methylcyclopropene (1‐ MCP ) is an inhibitor of ethylene reception used in post‐harvest treatments to delay fruit ripening. Several factors affect the efficacy of 1‐ MCP treatments. The effect of a post‐harvest treatment with 1‐ MCP on the quality of Pink Lady ® apples as a function of 1‐ MCP dose, storage time and maturity at harvest was investigated. 1‐ MCP treatment was further tested in combination with controlled atmosphere ( CA ) storage . RESULTS 1‐ MCP limited fruit respiration and softening during storage and was more effective on partially matured fruits and at prolonged storage times. The delaying of 1‐ MCP on the increase of ripening index was greater on matured fruits at prolonged storage times. The combination of 1‐ MCP and CA treatments positively affected quality indices of mature apples during 6 months of storage and 7 days of commercial life, with 1‐ MCP being more effective than CA . 1‐ MCP and CA showed positive combined effects on firmness and ripening index after 6 months of storage, and on firmness and CO 2 production after a further 7 days of commercial life . CONCLUSION By knowing fruit maturity at harvest and expected storage time it is possible to choose the most suitable 1‐ MCP dose to meet the market requirements by applying a simple polynomial model. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry