Apparent synergism between the positive effects of 1-MCP and modified atmosphere on storage life of banana fruit

Fruit of cv. Gros Michel banana were treated with 1-MCP (1000 nL L-1 for 4 h at 25 degrees C) and then packed in non-perforated polyethylene (PE) bags for modified atmosphere storage (MAP). The bags were placed in corrugated cardboard boxes and stored at 14 degrees C. Fruit were removed from cool storage and ripened at room temperature using ethephon. The length of storage life was determined by the change in peel color to yellow, after this ethephon treatment. Fruit treated with 1-MCP + MAP had a storage life of 100 days. The storage life of control fruit (no 1-MCP and no MAP) was 20 days. Fruit held in PE bags without 1-MCP treatment had a 40 day storage life, and the same was found in fruit treated with 1-MCP but without PE bags. 1-MCP is an inhibitor of ethylene action, but also inhibited ethylene production, mainly through inhibition of ACC oxidase activity in the peel. MAP inhibited ethylene production mainly through inhibition of ACC oxidase, both in the peel and pulp. The combination of 1-MCP treatment and MAP storage resulted in much lower ethylene production due to inhibition of both ACC synthase and ACC oxidase activity. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.