1-Methylcyclopropene Delays Postharvest Ripening and Reduces Decay in Hami Melon

Abstract

The effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on postharvest ripening and fruit decay in Hami melon were investigated. Melons were treated with 0, 0.1, 1, or 5 mL/L 1-MCP at 25C for 24 h and then stored at 25C for 16 days. 1-MCP treatment significantly inhibited respiration rate and ethylene production and delayed their climacteric rise. The treatment also significantly inhibited the decrease of firmness and the increase of electrolyte leakage. Moreover, treatment with 1 or 5 mL/L 1-MCP maintained significantly higher total soluble solids, vitamin C and chlorophyll contents. In addition, 1-MCP treatment significantly delayed the incidence of fruit decay and inhibited the increase of decay index. The efficacy of 1-MCP on delaying postharvest ripening and controlling fruit decay increased with increasing concentration. These results indicate 1-MCP treatment has great potential to extend shelf-life and maintain quality in Hami melon during distribution at ambient temperature. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) has been commercially used to delay postharvest ripening and extend the storage life on some climacteric fruits. Hami melon has a very short shelf-life mainly due to fruit ripening and decay, which causes significant economic losses. In this study, a postharvest application of 1-MCP significantly delayed ripening and reduced fruit decay while maintaining overall quality during storage at 25C. The results will allow long-distance transportation and marketing of Hami melon and benefit growers, shippers and distributors of this melon fruit. 1-METHYLCYCLOPROPENE DELAYS POSTHARVEST RIPENING AND REDUCES DECAY IN HAMI MELON X.W. LI ET AL.

Effect of 1-methylcyclopropene on shelf life, visual quality and nutritional quality of netted melon

“…1-MCP was effective in postharvest storage of melon (de Melo et al., 2008; Gal et al., 2006; Li et al., 2011b) although inconsistent results were obtained on the most effective concentration of 1-MCP in these reports. As for commercial usage, it is important to establish the optimum 1-MCP dose to achieve the maximum efficiency.…”

“…Several research were reported about the effect of 1-MCP application on melons. In ‘Galia’ melon (Ergun et al., 2005; Gal et al., 2006) and ‘Hami’ melon (Bi et al., 2003; Li et al., 2011a, 2011b), it is found that 1-MCP significantly extended melon shelf life, improved external qualities and nutritional qualities of melon fruits. And 1-MCP is also proved to be effective in improving fruit qualities of cantaloupe (Amaro et al., 2013) and ‘Yujinxiang’ melon (Ma et al., 2012).…”

Evaluation of the effects of different thawing methods on texture, colour and ascorbic acid retention of frozen hami melon (Cucumis melo var. saccharinus)

“…It is very popular for its bright skin colour, crispy, juicy flesh texture and delicious flavour (Bi et al ., ; Cong et al ., ). Every year when hami melons are in season, many hami melons rot in the farmland because of long distance to transport them from Xinjiang to the eastern and southern provinces of China (Li et al ., ) and lack of effective deep‐processing in their producing area (Ma et al ., ), which finally causes serious economic losses (Bi et al ., ). So it is crucial to find effective and proper processing technologies to promote the development of hami melon industry.…”

Isolation and expression analysis of ethylene receptor genes from melon(Cucumis melo) fruit

“…The mRNA transcript levels of both genes showed significant increases during ripening in storage, possibly resulting from the increase in ethylene production of melon fruit. Although we did not measure the ethylene production of melon fruit during storage, increases in ethylene production during ripening have been reported for different melon cultivars (Ergun et al, 2005;Pech et al, 2008;Li et al, 2011). Moreover, it has been reported that there was a correlation between the increase in ethylene production and the increase in the transcript levels of ETR1 and ETR2 genes in cucumber and melon (Sato-Nara et al, 1999;Yamasaki et al, 2000;Cin et al, 2006).…”