Golden Delicious apples were treated with either 1 ppm 1‐methylcyclopropen (1‐MCP) at 25C for 8 h and/or ethylene absorber sachets. Apples left untreated were considered as the control. Apples were stored for 5 months at 0C and 90% relative humidity. Firmness, total soluble solid concentration, titratable acidity (TA), pH and skin color were evaluated on a monthly basis during storage period. Apples treated with 1‐MCP in presence of ethylene absorbing sachets were significantly firmer, greener and had a lower hue angle in comparison with the control apples. Also, using this treatment, TA was reduced less extensively and lower pH values were obtained compared with the control. These results suggest that treatment with 1‐MCP and ethylene absorber sachets is a cost‐effective and safe method to improve the quality maintenance of Golden Delicious apples during cold storage. Practical Applications Apples are one of the most common fruits consumed in many countries. Apples undergo many biochemical changes including ripening, between harvest and consumption resulting in the loss of freshness desirable to consumers. Ethylene has an effective role in apple quality loss. In the present study, the effect of ethylene reduction was investigated on improving the quality of Golden Delicious apples during cold storage. Overall, the results showed that 1‐MCP treatment and potassium permanganate coated zeolite nanoparticles caused a noticeable delay in apple ripening compared with control fruits which leads to quality maintenance.

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