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

Abstract

1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), an ethylene action inhibitor, is routinely applied to fruit as a postharvest treatment prior to cold storage to extend fruit storability and posterior shelf life. Nevertheless, preharvest 1-MCP applied as a liquid spray to trees is a novel treatment for maintaining fruit quality throughout the postharvest in some crops and can be a very useful tool for improving handling operations in packing houses. This chapter aims to provide an overview of not only employing 1-MCP as a preharvest treatment in different crops, but also of its effect on the biochemical and physico-chemical parameters that influence fruit postharvest quality, storage capacity, and chilling injury development. It also intends to address the main factors related to the preharvest 1-MCP application effect, such as application time, optimum concentrations, and its combination with other preharvest treatments.

Reducing Postharvest Losses in Persimmon. Pre and Postharvest Aspects Involved in Fruit Quality and New Strategies for Valorization

“…Despite postharvest 1-MCP application being able to present many benefits, preharvest 1-MCP treatment emerges as a novel option, which has been tested in several crops with different effects, such as delaying color development, flesh softening, ethylene production and ripening, and maintaining fruit quality throughout the postharvest life (Valero et al, 2016;Vilhena et al, 2023). For preharvest 1-MCP applications, a sprayable formulation has been developed, which facilitates its field application by dissolving in water and being applied as a fumigation product.…”