Title: Effect of aqueous 1-methylcyclopropene in delaying postharvest ripening of breaker-turning tomato fruit

Authors: Md. Atiqur Rahman; Md. Nazrul Islam; Md. Alamgir Hossain; Most. Mahbuba Begum; Salina Parvin Banu

Addresses: Horticulture Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur – 1701, Bangladesh ' Horticulture Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur – 1701, Bangladesh ' Horticulture Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur – 1701, Bangladesh ' Tuber Crop Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur – 1701, Bangladesh ' Research Wing, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur – 1701, Bangladesh

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.

Keywords: tomato ripening; postharvest ripening; 1-methylcyclopropene; aqueous 1-MCP; respiration; firmness; beta-carotene; tomatoes; tomato storage; postharvest quality; breaker turning; fruit quality; tissue softening; surface colour.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2014.068737

International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, 2014 Vol.4 No.2/3/4, pp.208 - 220

Accepted: 30 Jan 2015
Published online: 18 Apr 2015 *

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