1-Methylcyclopropene Optimal Concentration and Treatment Conditions for Extending Storage Life of Strawberries

Abstract

Given that strawberries are very short-lived and easily perishable, extending their shelf life would be very cost effective. Strawberries of the Arosa cultivar were treated with various concentrations of 1-methyl­cyclopropene (0.050, 0.100, 0.500 ppm) in order to determine the optimal concentration for extending their storage life. Two different treatment conditions were used: treatment for 2 h at 20°C and treatment for 20h at 4°C. Total phenols content, total anthocyanins, total soluble solids, fruit firmness, titratable acidity, pH and weght loss were monitored for 11 days of storage in the cold room at 3oC. The best results were achieved by treatment with 0.1 ppm 1-methylcyclopropene for 2 h at 20°C.