EFFECT OF 1-MCP ON POSTHARVEST YELLOWING AND QUALITY OF ASIA PEAR (PYRUS BRETCHNEIDERI REHD. ‘EARLY CRISP’) DURING AMBIENT STORAGE

‘Early Crisp’ pear is one of the most important early Asia pears (Pyrus bretchneideri Rehd.) grown in the north of China.
The fruit are often purchased because of its green peel, good taste and crispy flesh texture.
However, postharvest yellowing of fruit happens rapidly due to limited use of refrigeration and without effective postharvest treatments.
In this study, the pears (‘Early Crisp’) were treated with 1-MCP at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 μl/L for 12 h to control yellowing, and to determine ethylene production, respiratory rate and the quality change in fruit.
The results showed that 1-MCP effectively maintained the skin green, inhibited yellowing and delayed chlorophyll degradation of fruit.
The chemical reduced ethylene production and respiratory rate, delayed the climacteric peak and decreased the peak values.
1-MCP also maintained fruit firmness and soluble solids contents.
Among three concentrations, the treatment at 1.0 μl/L 1-MCP showed the best effect.
It is suggested that 1-MCP could control yellowing of Asia pear fruit by suppressing ethylene production and respiratory rate.

X International Controlled and Modified Atmosphere Research Conference

H.X. Zhang, Y. Bi, Y.C. Li, J. Liu, X.H. Gao, X.Y. Zheng

1-MCP, ethylene, Asia pear, postharvest yellowing

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2010.876.32