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Benefits of ethylene removal during apple storage
Author(s) -
KNEE M.,
HATFIELD S. G. S.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
annals of applied biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1744-7348
pISSN - 0003-4746
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7348.1981.tb00433.x
Subject(s) - ethylene , potassium permanganate , seedling , softening , potassium , horticulture , controlled atmosphere , permanganate , biology , botany , chemistry , materials science , biochemistry , organic chemistry , composite material , catalysis
SUMMARY The potential use of an ethylene absorbent in controlled atmosphere storage of two varieties of apple has been investigated. With Golden Delicious, the rise in ethylene concentration during controlled atmosphere storage can be delayed for about 40 days but not prevented by inclusion of potassium permanganate in the storage container. But with Bramley's Seedling, potassium permanganate can delay ethylene accumulation for over 200 days. Ethylene treatment of Bramley's Seedling in a flowing stream of 5% CO 2 :3% O 2 :92% N 2 caused accelerated softening, accumulation of α‐farnesene and earlier onset of superficial scald. Use of potassium permanganate to remove ethylene during storage in static controlled atmosphere conditions retarded all three processes in Bramley's Seedling kept in 5% CO 2 :3% O 2 and in 9% CO 2 :12% O 2 . However, in one experiment, ethylene removal in 5% CO 2 :3% O 2 , led to external and internal symptoms of CO 2 damage. A subsequent investigation of the combined effects of harvest date, store temperature and ethylene removal in 5% CO 2 :3% O 2 did not show any damage or accumulation of succinic acid which is known to be involved in CO 2 injury. This experiment revealed that ethylene removal could be successfully accomplished on Bramley fruit harvested up to a month after the usual date and little α‐farnesene accumulated in this fruit. Nevertheless scald did develop on late picked fruit and this raises doubts about the causal role of farnesene in scald.