Methyl jasmonate and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) reduce decay and maintain postharvest quality of papaya 'Sunrise'

Exposure of papaya (Carica papaya L., cv. Sunrise) fruit to methyl jasmonate (MJ) vapors (10(-5) or 10(-4) M) for 16 h at 20degreesC inhibited fungal decay and reduced chilling injury development and loss of firmness during storage for 14-32 days at 10degreesC and 4 days shelf life at 20degreesC. MJ-treated fruit also retained higher organic acids than the control fruit. Low density polyethylene film packaging prevented water loss and further loss of firmness as well as inhibiting yellowing (b* values) of papaya fruit. The modified atmosphere created (3-5 kPa O-2 and 6-9 kPa CO2) inside the package did not induce any off-flavor development during storage at 10degreesC. The postharvest quality of papaya was enhanced significantly by combining the MJ-treatments and MAP. Use of MJ at 10(-5) M with MAP is beneficial to maintaining postharvest quality of papaya during low temperature storage and shelf-life period. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.