Case-studies of post-harvest treatments with 1-MCP on whole and fresh-cut fruits

The post-harvest gaseous application of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) has been shown to improve many physiological chracteristics of fruits, such as reduced ethylene production and respiration, enhanced fruit firmness and acidity retention. The aim of the work presented in the case-study on whole fruit was to investigate the effects f a semi-commercial post-harvest treatment with 1-MCP on the quality of Pink Lady apples as functions of fruit ripening stage, 1-MCP dose and storage time. The results obtained showed an important significance from the point of view of the commercial application of 1-MCP. They show that it is possible to choose the most suitable treatment conditions in terms of fruit maturity, 1-MCP dose and storage time in order to meet the market/consumer needs and then in order to put in the market excellent fruit. In the case-study on fresh-cut fruit, the effects of 1-MCP treatment and MAP in a N2O enriched atmosphere had a positive effect on the inhibition of respiration and ethylene production. From a microbiological view-point, N2O MAP extended the shelf-life of the products of 3-4 days by increasing the lag phase of microbial growth.