2014•International Journal of Postharvest Technology and InnovationRequires access
Effect of aqueous 1-methylcyclopropene in delaying postharvest ripening of breaker-turning tomato fruit
Md Atiqur Rahman, Md. Nazrul Islam, Md. Alamgir Hossain, Most. Mahbuba Begum, S. P. Banu
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Abstract
The effect of aqueous 1–methylcyclopropene (1–MCP) was investigated on ripening and quality of tomato (Solanun lycopersicum L.) during storage. Tomato fruits of cv. 'BARI Tomato–15' at breaker–turning stage were immersed in 100, 200, 300 and 400 µg L−1 of 1–MCP for 5 minutes, air–dried, packed in 1% perforated low density polyethylene bag and stored at 20 ± 2°C with 75%–80% RH for 24 days. The rate of respiration was strongly suppressed with higher concentrations of 200, 300 and 400 µg L−1 during storage. Similarly, tissue softening, rate of β–carotene accumulation and fruit surface colour were markedly delayed with higher concentrations of 1–MCP and consequently extended at least 12 days extra storage life compared to control treatment. The results demonstrated the efficacy of aqueous 1–MCP and imply prospects for the postharvest application at 200 µg L−1 for prolonging the storage life of tomato up to 24 days at 20 ± 2°C and 75%–80% RH maintaining better fruit quality.