Response of Pink Lady® apples to postharvest application of 1-methylcyclopropene as a function of applied dose, maturity at harvest, storage time and controlled atmosphere storage

BACKGROUND: 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) is an inhibitor of ethylene reception used in post-harvest treatments to delay fruit ripening. Several factors affect the efficacy of 1-MCP treatments. The effect of a post-harvest treatment with 1-MCP on the qualityofPink Lady® apples as a function of1-MCPdose, storagetimeandmaturity at harvestwas investigated.1-MCPtreatment was further tested in combination with controlled atmosphere (CA) storage. RESULTS: 1-MCP limited fruit respiration and softening during storage andwas more effective on partially matured fruits and at prolonged storage times. The delaying of 1-MCP on the increase of ripening index was greater on matured fruits at prolonged storage times. Thecombinationof1-MCPandCAtreatmentspositivelyaffected quality indicesofmature apples during6months of storage and 7 days of commercial life, with 1-MCP being more effective than CA. 1-MCP and CA showed positive combined effects on firmness and ripening index after 6 months of storage, and on firmness and CO2 production after a further 7 days of commercial life. CONCLUSION: By knowing fruitmaturity at harvest and expected storage time it is possible to choose the most suitable 1-MCP dose tomeet themarket requirements by applying a simple polynomial model