Simultaneous application of ethylene and 1-MCP affects banana ripening features during storage.
BACKGROUND
In order to avoid the ripening blocking effect of 1-MCP (1-methylcyclopropene) on bananas when applied before ethylene commercial treatment, 1-MCP in combination with 'CD ethylene' (ethylene-cyclodextrin complex) was used in gas formulations: 300 nmol mol(-1) 1-MCP + 1200, 2400 or 4800 nmol mol(-1) ethylene (ETH). Control bananas received 1-MCP alone or 4800 nmol mol(-1) ethylene alone or no treatment. Treatments were done on overseas shipped bananas, at 14 °C, 90% relative humidity (RH), for 16 h; the bananas were stored under the same atmospheric conditions. After 4 or 12 days the bananas were commercially treated with 500 µmol mol(-1) ethylene.


RESULTS
A 300 nmol mol(-1) 1-MCP treatment significantly blocked banana ripening in terms of physiological and technological parameters, inhibiting ethylene production and respiration, despite the commercial ethylene treatment. The application of 300 nmol mol(-1) 1-MCP + 1200 or 2400 nmol mol(-1) ethylene delayed ripening but with a regular pattern. A 300 nmol mol(-1) 1-MCP + 4800 nmol mol(-1) ethylene application did not delay ripening as did 4800 nmol mol(-1) ethylene treatment. The development of black spots was closely associated with advanced ripening/senescence of fruits.


CONCLUSIONS
The combined 300 nmol mol(-1) 1-MCP + 1200 or 2400 nmol mol(-1) ethylene treatment appears to be a promising treatment to extend banana storage, following overseas shipping.
DIBAF-Postharvest Lab, University of Tuscia, 01100, Viterbo, Italy.
Rinaldo
R
Botondi
Federica
F
De Sanctis
Serena
S
Bartoloni
Fabio
F
Mencarelli
D019069:Cell Respiration; D016922:Cellular Senescence; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D004032:Diet; D005030:Ethylenes / Q000378:metabolism; D061353:Food Storage / Q000379:methods*; D005638:Fruit / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D028521:Musa / Q000502:physiology*; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000378:metabolism; D014186:Transportation
D003521:Cyclopropanes; D005030:Ethylenes; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators; C036216:ethylene; C412563:1-methylcyclopropene
1-methylcyclopropene; Musa spp; ethylene; storage