Storage and quality of autumn pears, depending on the dose of post-harvest treatment with ethylene inhibitor 1-MCP

Abstract

The aim of the research was to determine the effect of postharvest SmartFresh treatment of autumn pears (various 1-MCP doses) on the natural weight losses, skin browning, senescent breakdown and ethylene-production, firmness, soluble solids content, titratable acidity and taste during fruit storage. Autumn pears, known in Ukraine as Delbarau RX 12/47 (the local name is also Snizhynka) were cooled to 5 °C and treated with 1-MCP at the dose of 1000 ppb recommended for apples (SmartFreshTM) and experimental doses of 750 and 500 ppb. Fruits were stored at 2±1 °C and relative air humidity 85-90%. With the losses lower than 10%, autumn pears without treatment of 1-MCP can be stored at 2±1 °С for no longer than three months and those treated with an ethylene inhibitor – for no more than four months. А high efficiency of post-harvest treatment of autumn pears with an ethylene inhibitor is achieved at doses of 500, 750 and 1000 ppb 1-MCP. A more harmonious taste of fruits is achieved after the use of smaller doses of 1-MCP.