Effects of 1-MCP on post-harvest quality of 'Red Delicious' apple

摘要

1-MCP (1-methylcyclopropene), an ethylene inhibitor as the most promising fresh keeping agent of horticultural produce was applied to apple fruit after harvest The cultivar used in this experiment is 'Red Delicious'. 1-MCP gas concentrations used were 250nL/L, 500nL/L and 1000nL/L generated from measured amount of EthyBloc~(TM) (0.14%) powder. The results indicated that 1-MCP delayed fruit maturation and senescence by decreasing respiration rate at ambient temperature and during storage, inhibited occurrence of post-harvest disorders such as superficial scald, extended storage and shelf life, and improved the storage quality of 'Red Delicious' fruit significantly. When stored under the normal cold conditions for 6 months, the three rates of 1-MCP (250, 500 and 1000nL/L) got similar results. Fruit quality after treatment at 500 and 1000nL/L treatments was better than that at 250nL/L. Based on firmness and observed juiciness, fruit treated with 1-MCP were acceptable after 60d at room temperature. The results also indicated that the efficacy of 1-MCP was affected by its concentrations applied, especially for long storage (over 6 months).