Suppression of Ethylene Responses Through Application of 1-Methylcyclopropene: A Powerful Tool for Elucidating Ripening and Senescence Mechanisms in Climacteric and Nonclimacteric Fruits and Vegetables

Abstract

<jats:p>The discovery of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) as an inhibitor of ethylene action has provided yet another effective tool for understanding the role of this hormone in the development of higher plants. In the nearly 12 years since the description of the effects of this growth regulator on ethylene action, the subsequent introduction of stable formulations has resulted in an explosive increase in 1-MCP-targeted research, particularly, although not exclusively, in the discipline of postharvest science. The vicinal relationship between 1-MCP and postharvest biology is understandable in view of the established roles of ethylene, both beneficial and detrimental, in the handling and storage behaviors of a vast majority of harvested fruit and vegetative organs. The use of 1-MCP is proving to be supplemental to molecular approaches for identifying and understanding the spectrum of senescence and ripening processes under the direct control of ethylene perception. Climacteric fruits have served as the predominant target for investigations of 1-MCP, and the responses of these fruits have confirmed that the antagonist operates in opposition to ethylene. Studies of nonclimacteric fruits challenged with 1-MCP and other ethylene action inhibitors have identified both ethylene-dependent and ethylene-independent ripening processes and have posed interesting questions regarding the canonical distinctions between climacteric and nonclimacteric fruits.</jats:p>

Ripening of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Part I: 1-methylcyclopropene mediated delay at higher storage temperature

“…Therefore, slow ripening varieties should be treated with 1-MCP either at breaker or turning stages so that the fruit could finally achieve the acceptable organoleptic characteristics. It was reported by Huber (2008) that recovery of ripening characteristics and attainment of optimum quality for climacteric fruits are best achieved if 1-MCP is applied after the initiation of ripening. This was in fact found to be true when tomato fruits were treated with 1-MCP either at breaker-turning stage (Choi and Huber 2008) or pink stage (Cliff et al 2009).…”

Proteomic analysis of differentially accumulated proteins during ripening and in response to 1-MCP in papaya fruit

“…Postharvest research and commercial handling have targeted approaches to limit respiration and ethylene production rates [11,12]. Studies on ethylene production and fruit ripening changes have focused on ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxilic acid) oxidase [7], xylanases [8], and β-galactosidases/ galactanases activities [13].…”

“…Studies on ethylene production and fruit ripening changes have focused on ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxilic acid) oxidase [7], xylanases [8], and β-galactosidases/ galactanases activities [13]. To prevent non-homogeneous ripening or the sudden softening of the fruit flesh caused by the exposure to exogenous ethylene or poor postharvest handling, the inhibitor of ethylene production, 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), a non-toxic agent for humans and environment, has been employed to delay ripening and minimize these problems [12]. However, the application of 1-MCP in papaya has resulted in the decrease of the quality of treated fruits when compared with fruits that were allowed to ripe naturally [11,14].…”

Modeling the diffusion–adsorption kinetics of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) in apple fruit and non-target materials in storage rooms

“…1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) has been shown to suppress ethylene responses and extend the postharvest shelf life and quality of numerous fruits and vegetables (Sisler and Blankenship, 1996;Blankenship and Dole, 2003;Serek, 1997, 2003;Watkins, 2006;Huber, 2008). The gas works by permanently attaching to a site (receptor) in fruit tissues that normally binds ethylene (Serek et al, 1994b;Hall et al, 2000;Binder and Bleecker, 2003).…”