Influence of 1-methylcyclopropene on Ripening, Storage Life, and Volatile Production by d'Anjou cv. Pear Fruit

Abstract

d'Anjou cv. pear fruit (Pyrus communis L.) exposed at harvest to 0, 0.42, 4.2, or 42 micromol m(-)(3) 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) for 12 h at 20 degrees C were stored at 1 degrees C for up to 8 months. After storage, half of the fruit was continuously exposed to ethylene (0.45 or 4-18 mmol m(-)(3)) for 7 days at 20 degrees C. All fruit treated with 1-MCP had lower respiration and ethylene production compared to untreated controls. Fruit quality changes were delayed following 1-MCP treatment, as was development of superficial scald and peel yellowing. The duration of 1-MCP-induced responses was dependent on 1-MCP treatment concentration. When 1-MCP-treated fruit began to ripen, softening and production of volatile compounds proceeded similar to that of untreated fruit. Post-storage ethylene exposure did not consistently stimulate ripening of fruit previously treated with 1-MCP. Efficacy of ethylene treatment depended on 1-MCP concentration and storage duration.

Novel Postharvest Treatment Reduces Ascorbic Acid Losses in Mango (<i>Mangifera indica</i> L.) Var. Kent

“…For example, 1-MCP effectively delayed softening of banana (Watkins, 2006) and "Tonewase" and "Saijo" persimmon fruits (Harima et al, 2003). Firmness is the measured parameter related to softening; in 1-MCP treated "d´Anjou" pear, firmness was higher than in nontreated fruits (Argenta et al, 2003). Better firmness was also observed in several 1-MCP treated fruits, including avocado (Feng et al, 2000), strawberry (Jiang et al, 2001), guavas (Bassetto et al, 2005), plum cultivars (Martinez-Romero et al, 2003), pear (Hiwasa et al, 2003;Ekman et al, 2004), watermelon (Mao et al, 2004), banana (Lohani et al, 2004), kiwifruit (Boquete et al, 2004), apple (Defilippi et al, 2004) and nectarine (Bregoli et al, 2005).…”

Effect of 1-methylcyclopropene on ‘Bosc Kobak’ pears

“…In pear fruit, 1-MCP treatment has been reported to decrease softening, colour development, respiration rates, and ethylene production (BARITELLE et al, 2001;ARGENTA et al, 2003;HIWASA et al, 2003;CALVO & SOZZI, 2004;TRINCHERO et al, 2004;MWANIKI et al, 2005).…”

Re-initiating softening ability of 1-methylcyclopropene-treated ‘Bartlett’ and ‘d’Anjou’ pears after regular air or controlled atmosphere storage

“…'Bartlett' (Ekman et al, 2004;Trinchero et al, 2004), and superficial scald in cv. 'd'Anjou' (Argenta et al, 2003;Bai, 2006;Chen and Spotts, 2006), which are major physiological disorders in pears.…”