The Influence of 1-Methylcyclopropene on the Quality Parameters of Idared Apples after 8 Weeks of Storage Simulating Long-Distance Transportation

Abstract

1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), being applied in postharvest treatment of apples as an inhibitor of ethylene perception, contributes to improved quality of apples during 6 weeks of simulated long-distance transportation, but it was not studied if this period may be prolonged. The aim of the present study was to assess the possibility to apply 1-MCP treatment to maintain the quality of Idared apples for long-distance transportation prolonged for 8 weeks. The 1-MCP treatment was applied either alone, or combined with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) in selected gas permeability bags and was compared with control group. Postharvest, the storage in Ultra Low Oxygen (ULO) chamber was applied (3 periods: 0, 10, or 20 weeks), followed by simulated long distance transportation (storage duration of 8 weeks) and simulated distribution (4 periods: 0, 5, 10, or 15 days). Each studied group (36 groups: 3 postharvest treatments × 3 storage periods × 4 distribution periods) constituted 4 batches with 10 random apples each. After simulated distribution period, each sample was analyzed to assess the differences of firmness, total soluble solids (TSS) and titratable acidity (TA). The applied treatment influenced observed values of firmness, TSS and TA within each applied storage duration and duration of distribution (p < 0.05). For the majority of the studied durations of storage and distribution, the highest values of firmness, TSS and TA were observed for the samples from the group of 1-MCP applied combined with MAP, while only for some of them, the highest values of firmness and TA, but not TSS, were observed for the samples from the group of 1-MCP applied alone. It may be concluded that applying 1-MCP in the case of Idared apples for long-distance transportation allows prolonging it to 8 weeks without decreasing quality of fruits. Applying 1-MCP combined with MAP allows obtaining even better results than 1-MCP alone, after 8 weeks of transportation. It may be recommended to apply 1-MCP combined with MAP in order to slow the ripening process and to maintain the quality of apples during a long-distance transportation.

Maintaining the Quality of ‘Red Jonaprince’ Apples during Storage by 1-Methylcyclopropene Preharvest and Postharvest Treatment

“…The 1-MCP is an ethylene action inhibitor in plant cells, so it may be applied in order to control ethylene production, which is associated with delaying the fruit ripening mechanism [35,39]. The 1-MCP may be applied in apple production both preharvest [35] and postharvest [39], while the standard treatment includes its postharvest application [26].…”

Estimating the Physicochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Hardy Kiwi (Actinidia arguta) Treated with 1-Methylcyclopropene during Storage

“…The storage conditions were not shown to have an effect in the experiment. Many authors emphasise that the use of 1-MCP determines the rate of fruit acidity loss, in favour of the use of 1-MCP-such fruits have a higher acidity [34,62]. It is interesting to note that the effect of the storage period was only proven for the fruit that was not treated with 1-MCP, regardless of the storage conditions.…”

“…1-MCP reduces the loss of antioxidant potential in pears and, in combination with controlled atmosphere conditions, may even increase the antioxidant potential [32]. The use of inhibitors, i.e., aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) or 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), effectively blocks ageing or oxidation processes [33,34]. The loss of general antioxidant capacity begins when the integrity of the cell associated with mechanical damage or the natural ageing process is broken.…”

Apple Quality during Shelf-Life after Long-Term Storage and Simulated Transport

“…A popular method to achieve this is through the use of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), an inhibitor of ethylene synthesis with a 10-fold greater affinity for ethylene receptors than that of ethylene itself [19]. Available research results showing the effect of the post-harvest use of 1-MCP to reduce the ripening rate of apples transported to distant markets generally concern fruit harvested at the optimal harvest date and stored for only 5 months [20,21]. On the other hand, although studies on the pre-harvest use of 1-MCP do evaluate the fruit harvested both at the optimal and a delayed harvest date, they do not take into account the very long storage of apples prior to their shipment to a distant recipient [18,22].…”