Vol. 123 (2010): Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society
Handling & Processing

Potential of 1-Methylcyclopropene to Delay Ripening and Extend Quality of Avocado Fruit during Refrigerated Storage

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  • Steven A. Sargent,
  • Adrian D. Berry,
  • Marcio E. C. Pereira,
  • Donald J. Huber
Photos: Florida contains over half the wild orchid species found in the United States, at roughly 100 species. The endangered Ghost Orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii) makes its home in the area of southern Florida known as the Big Cypress Swamp (including the

Published 2010-12-01

Keywords

  • Persea americana,
  • postharvest technology,
  • storage

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of aqueous 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) formulation on ripening and quality of avocado (Persea americana Mill., ‘Monroe’) fruit under simulated commercial conditions. Twenty-four hours after harvest in Homestead, FL, mature-green fruit were either immersed in aqueous 1-MCP at 75 μg·L–1 (75 ppb a.i.; 20 °C) or deionized water for 1 min. All fruit were stored at 10 °C for 14 d, then transferred to 20 °C until ripe (15 N firmness). Respiration, ethylene production, softening, and surface hue angle were delayed and/or suppressed in fruit exposed to 1-MCP. Ethylene production was delayed approximately 3 d and fruit ripening up to 6 d, compared to control fruit. Avocado fruit treated with 1-MCP maintained equal or better visual quality during ripening as compared to control fruit.
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