Improving storability, physiological disorders, and antioxidant properties of ‘Bartlett’ and ‘d’Anjou’ pears (Pyrus communisL.) by pre‐harvest 1‐methylcyclopropene spraying

Abstract

Ethylene continues to be a major factor influencing quality of European pears during storage. Although research has been done on the effect of pre-harvest 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on physiological characteristics in pears, a full understanding of cultivar response and antioxidant metabolism remains elusive. Spraying 1-MCP on 'Bartlett' and 'd'Anjou' pears was studied with respect to physiology, storage and eating quality, disorders, and antioxidant properties at two harvest date (H1 and H2) during storage and ripening. Treatment with 1-MCP extended the harvest window of 'Bartlett' and 'd'Anjou' pears 3 and 4 days, respectively, without reducing storage or eating quality. Treatment with 1-MCP reduced ethylene production (EPR) and respiration rates (RR), maintained fruit firmness and green colour during storage and retarded development of desirable melting texture in both cultivars. Additionally, 1-MCP lowered the incidence of disorders by alleviating membrane lipid peroxidation, retaining high total flavonoids (TF) and antioxidant capacity, and enhancing superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity in both cultivars. Overall, pre-harvest 1-MCP applications could extend storage time of 'Bartlett' and 'd'Anjou' pears to 5 and 6 months, respectively, at À1.1 AE 0.5°C, by reducing ethylene synthesis and enhancing antioxidant metabolism.

Effect of Preharvest 1-MCP Treatment on the Flesh Firmness of ‘Rojo Brillante’ Persimmon

“…Most of the studies that evaluate the effect of pre-MCP are made on apples and pears [9,13,14]. The obtained results show that the combination of pre-and postharvest 1-MCP application optimizes the fruit capacity to retain ripening and reduce the incidence of disorders during cold storage, resulting in a higher fruit firmness as well as longer ethylene suppression.…”

Recent Development in the Preharvest 1-MCP Application to Improve Postharvest Fruit Quality

“…A recent study performed with the "Bartlett" and "d 'Anjou" cultivars found that the preharvest 1-MCP treatment extended the harvest window by 3-4 days without reducing the storage potential or eating quality [41]. This treatment also lowered ethylene synthesis and respiration rates, maintained fruit firmness and green color during cold storage, and retarded melting texture development in both cultivars.…”

“…Similarly to apples, in pears the effect of the sprayable preharvest 1-MCP application has been studied mainly on fruit drop, extension of the harvest window, quality maintenance during cold storage, and reduction of the incidence of different disorders [39][40][41].…”