Antioxidant properties and fruit quality during long-term storage of “rocha” pear: effects of maturity and storage conditions

摘要

Free radical scavenging activity and the content of ascorbic acid andglutathione were investigated during long-term storage of the pear (Pyruscommunis L. ‘Rocha’) fruit harvested at different maturity stages, stored in airor under controlled atmosphere and subjected to postharvest treatments withdiphenylamine (DPA) and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). Harvest maturityhad a significant effect on storage disorders, fruit firmness, soluble solidscontent and acidity. Differences in ascorbate content and free radical scavengingactivity at harvest did not persist during storage. Controlled atmosphereand DPA strongly reduced the incidence and severity of browningdisorders and superficial scald, whereas 1-MCP provided the most effectivecontrol. Neither DPA nor 1-MCP affected the free radical scavenging activity