Combination effect of 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and Ascorbic Acid (AsA) in maintaining postharvest life and quality of tomato fruit

Abstract

1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and Ascorbic Acid (AsA) inhibit the ethylene effect in horticultural products. Mostly 1-MCP and AsA are used as individual treatments to extend the fruit shelf life and maintain the quality of horticultural products. In this study, we elucidate the influences of the combination effect of 1-MCP and AsA on the postharvest fruit shelf life and quality of tomato. 1-MCP at 0, 1, and 2 μL L−1 combined with AsA at 0, 2, and 4 % was treated to Br + 4 of tomato fruit. The postharvest fruit quality and shelf life were evaluated during 21 d of postharvest storage. The result showed that a combination of 1-MCP 2 μL L−1 + AsA 4 % significantly improved tomato fruit shelf-life by 6 d longer than control (untreated fruits), whereas the individual treatment of 1-MCP improved only 4 d longer than control, also improved fruit firmness 37.01 % harder than control, and reducing fruit loss 10.37 % lower than control at 21 d of storage. In the nutritional parameeters, it affects in the reducing the total sugars 20.97 %, lycopene 23.45 %, β-carotene 25.32 % lower than control, but did not affect on the change of total polyphenol and flavonoid. These results indicate that the effectiveness of 1-MCP in improving tomato fruit shelf-life was enhanced by its combination with AsA, which will be useful for practical application in postharvest handling.

Keywords

• Climacteric
• Ethylene
• Horticulture
• Ripening