Use of 1‐methylcyclopropene for alleviating chilling injury and lignification of bamboo shoot (Phyllostachys praecox f. prevernalis) during cold storage

BACKGROUND: Bamboo shoot is sensitive to chilling, and low‐temperature injury is a major limitation to its long‐term storage. Studies on the causes of postharvest deterioration in bamboo shoot are few. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of ethylene and 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) treatments on the physiological and biochemical responses of bamboo shoot and their ability as a postharvest tool to alleviate chilling injury and lignification of bamboo shoot during storage at 2 °C. RESULTS: Disease incidence, electrical conductivity (EC), respiration and ethylene production of control bamboo shoot increased after about 2–3 weeks of cold storage, associated with higher chilling injury (CI) index. Increased shoot firmness during cold storage was positively correlated with higher lignin and cellulose accumulation, and this accumulation of lignin in flesh tissue was also positively correlated with the activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) and peroxidase (POD). Ethylene treatment was associated with higher disease incidence, CI index, EC, respiration and ethylene production, enhanced lignin and cellulose accumulation and accelerated the activities of PAL, CAD and POD. In contrast, 1‐MCP treatment was associated with lower respiration, ethylene production, CI index and EC, reduced lignin and cellulose accumulation and retarded the activities of PAL, CAD and POD. CONCLUSION: The present findings throw light on the role of ethylene in postharvest physiological disorders such as chilling injury and lignification and suggest that 1‐MCP could be used commercially to control these disorders in bamboo shoot during cold storage. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry