Relationship between the physicochemical parameters and the ethylene emission during cold storage of kiwifruits

Kiwifruit production is a dynamic agricultural activity in Corsica and represents 10% of the French total. Because of its composition, sensory characteristics and resistance during preservation, the kiwifruit has great potential for industrial exploitation. The kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa cv. Hayward) produces ethylene because it is a climacteric fruit. The concentration of ethylene increases during cold storage at 0 °C. This increase is slow in the first 2 months of storage and then accelerates quickly to reach the climacteric peak. The timing of this climacteric peak varies in function of the year of harvest, occurring after between 100 and 140 days of storage. In parallel with this ethylene production, there is an increase in reducing sugar concentration, Brix, acidity and Botrytis cinerea contamination and conversely a reduction in the firmness and mass of the fruits. This study used statistical analysis to summarise these changes and show the influence of ethylene on the ripening and storage time of the kiwifruits.     

The effects of fruit maturation,delayed storage and ethylene treatment on the incidence of low‐temperature breakdown of ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit

BACKGROUND: Low‐temperature breakdown (LTB), a disorder inducing quality loss, during and after cold storage of ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit was investigated. Harvested kiwifruits during fruit maturation or after delayed storage (DS) at 20 °C for 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks and 1 µL L^?1 ethylene treatment for 24 h were stored at ? 0.5 °C for 24 weeks and additional ripening at 20 °C for 5 days. Fruit quality indices and LTB incidence and severity were determined before and after treatments. RESULTS: Harvested fruits ripened during maturation, DS and after ethylene treatment. After storage and shelf life, fruits of all treatments were at complete ripening stage. LTB incidence of early harvested fruits was high, while that of fruits of the mid (third) and late harvests was low. Fruits of the third harvest date showed progressively increased LTB incidence with increasing duration of DS to as high as 95–100% after 4 weeks. Ethylene‐treated fruits showed a comparable increase in LTB to that corresponding to 2–3 weeks of DS. CONCLUSION: In contrast to fruit maturation, postharvest (after harvest and before storage) DS at non‐chilling temperature and ethylene treatment advanced the ripening of ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit and resulted in increased LTB incidence. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of delayed storage and continuous ethylene exposure on flesh reddening of ‘Royal Diamond’ plums

BACKGROUND: Flesh reddening has been described as one of the manifestations of plum fruits to low‐temperature storage for prolonged periods. The influence of factors such as ethylene and delayed storage has not been studied to date. In order to assess that, plum cv. ‘Royal Diamond’ fruits were (a) stored at 5 °C (control), (b) held at 20 °C for 2 days before storage at 5 °C (delayed storage) or (c) maintained at 5 °C under 15 µL L^?1 ethylene. Fruits were then transferred to 20 °C and ethylene, respiration, weight loss, firmness, soluble solids content, acidity, flesh reddening, anthocyanin accumulation and phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL) activity were determined. RESULTS: Delayed storage fruits showed more extensive flesh reddening than control fruits, with increased PAL activity and higher anthocyanin accumulation. Symptoms were expressed more markedly when fruits were stored at 5 °C in ethylene. CONCLUSION: Results indicated that the fruit ripening stage is a critical factor determining the susceptibility of ‘Royal Diamond’ plums to flesh reddening. Fruits continuously exposed to ethylene showed a dramatic increase in reddening, suggesting that ethylene contributes to the development of the disorder. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of preharvest sprays containing calcium,magnesium and titanium on the quality of peaches and nectarines at harvest and during postharvest storage

Peach and nectarine trees were foliar sprayed with a formulation containing Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ti⁴⁺. Parameters related to fruit quality were evaluated at harvest, after 7–28 days of cold storage and after subsequent ripening for 4 days at 20 °C (shelf life). At harvest, treated fruits from both cultivars had higher weight and pulp firmness than control fruits, while no effect was observed for either colour, total soluble solid content (TSS) and titratable acidity (TA) or the time required to ripen on the tree. During cold storage, lower levels of weight loss, colour evolution, TSS/TA ratio and ethylene production and higher pulp firmness were found in treated peaches and nectarines compared with control fruits. Also, the storability of treated fruits was extended for up to 14 days more than that of control fruits. During ripening at 20 °C after different periods of cold storage, parameters related to ripening evolved faster in control than in treated fruits. Also, the occurrence of the climacteric peak of ethylene production was delayed and its intensity was lower in treated peaches and nectarines than in controls. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

1‐METHYLCYCLOPROPENE DELAYS POSTHARVEST RIPENING AND REDUCES DECAY IN HAMI MELON

ABSTRACT

The effects of 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) on postharvest ripening and fruit decay in Hami melon were investigated. Melons were treated with 0, 0.1, 1, or 5 µL/L 1‐MCP at 25C for 24 h and then stored at 25C for 16 days. 1‐MCP treatment significantly inhibited respiration rate and ethylene production and delayed their climacteric rise. The treatment also significantly inhibited the decrease of firmness and the increase of electrolyte leakage. Moreover, treatment with 1 or 5 µL/L 1‐MCP maintained significantly higher total soluble solids, vitamin C and chlorophyll contents. In addition, 1‐MCP treatment significantly delayed the incidence of fruit decay and inhibited the increase of decay index. The efficacy of 1‐MCP on delaying postharvest ripening and controlling fruit decay increased with increasing concentration. These results indicate 1‐MCP treatment has great potential to extend shelf‐life and maintain quality in Hami melon during distribution at ambient temperature.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

1‐Methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) has been commercially used to delay postharvest ripening and extend the storage life on some climacteric fruits. Hami melon has a very short shelf‐life mainly due to fruit ripening and decay, which causes significant economic losses. In this study, a postharvest application of 1‐MCP significantly delayed ripening and reduced fruit decay while maintaining overall quality during storage at 25C. The results will allow long‐distance transportation and marketing of Hami melon and benefit growers, shippers and distributors of this melon fruit.     

Impact of exogenous salicylic acid treatment on the cell wall metabolism and ripening process in postharvest tomato fruit stored at ambient temperature

Tomato is a climacteric fruit susceptible to rapid softening and ripening after harvest. In this study, the changes of physicochemical characters, cell wall-degrading enzymes, cell wall compositions and ethylene production of ‘Hisar Arun’ and ‘BSS-488’ tomato fruits were investigated under the influence of salicylic acid treatment. Salicylic acid treatment effectively delayed firmness decline and increase in PLW, TSS and lycopene content. The treated fruits maintained the integrity of cell wall composition by delay in increase in activities of cell wall-degrading enzymes (pectin methylesterase, polygalacturonase and cellulose) and cell wall components (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and pectin) decline. Moreover, salicylic acid treatments significantly suppress expression level of ethylene-producing genes (ACO1 and ACS2) and inhibited ethylene production during storage. Overall, the salicylic acid-induced delay in the ripening process occurs via the strong inhibition of ethylene biosynthesis, lowered cell wall-degrading enzyme activities and slowed cell wall degradation.     

Effect of pre‐ripening chilling temperatures on ripening,shelf life and quality of bananas treated with 1‐methylcyclopropene

Ethylene production, shelf life and fruit quality of Cavendish bananas (cv. Williams), held at different pre‐ripening storage temperatures (5 °C, 10 °C or 15 °C) prior to ethylene and/or 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) application, were determined and compared. Levels of ethylene production during ripening were highest for control fruit that had been stored at 5 °C followed by 10 °C and then 15 °C. 1‐MCP treatment (at 300 nL L^?1) had no effect on ethylene production of fruit that had been stored at 10 °C by day 10 of storage, but ethylene production was significantly higher for fruit that had been stored at 15 °C and lower for those stored at 5 °C before 1‐MCP treatment. 1‐MCP also increased shelf life to a greater extent when applied to fruit that had been stored at 10 °C or 15 °C. Even though 1‐MCP had no significant effect on under peel chilling injury, it increased discolouration significantly, regardless of storage temperature. Firmness of 1‐MCP‐treated fruit decreased significantly compared to the control when fruit were held at 5 °C or 15 °C prior to ripening (and 1‐MCP application) but had no effect on fruit stored at 10 °C before ripening. These results indicate that pre‐ripening storage temperature affects ripening, shelf life and quality in both ethylene and 1‐MCP‐treated bananas.     

Increased ethylene biosynthesis elevates incidence of chilling injury in cold‐stored ‘Amber Jewel’ Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) during fruit ripening

Mature ‘Amber Jewel’ Japanese plum fruit were stored at 0 or 5 °C for 3 and 6 weeks to investigate their effects on ethylene (C₂H₄) biosynthesis during ripening at ambient temperature in the development of chilling injury (CI) and fruit quality. CI (internal breakdown and browning) and fruit softening were higher during ripening, in the fruit stored at 5 °C than 0 °C, irrespective of storage period (SP). C₂H₄ production and activities of 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid synthase (ACS) and 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid oxidase (ACO) enzymes, and 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid (ACC) content were higher during ripening in fruit stored at 5 °C than 0 °C. The fruit stored at 5 °C also exhibited higher respiration rate and higher soluble solids concentration/titratable acidity ratio. In conclusion, increase in storage temperature and SP elevates the activities of ACS and ACO enzymes and consequently C₂H₄ production which leads to the development of CI in plum fruit with advancement of ripening.     

‘香水梨’和‘嘉宝梨’后熟期间呼吸强度及品质指标的变化及其比较

以商业成熟的‘香水梨’和‘嘉宝梨’为试材,经室温(20±3)℃、相对湿度85%~90%条件下后熟,测定后熟期间的生理和品质指标的变化。结果表明,‘香水梨’后熟期间的呼吸强度呈典型的跃变型变化,显著高于‘嘉宝梨’,且‘香水梨’在第5天出现呼吸高峰,‘嘉宝梨’虽在第15天时有呼吸高峰出现,但变化不显著;‘嘉宝梨’的可溶性固形物含量和固酸比显著高于‘香水梨’,两者的可溶性固形物含量分别在第15天和第10天时达到最大,‘香水梨’可滴定酸含量显著高于‘嘉宝梨’,后熟期间均逐渐下降;果实色泽变化为a*值变化最明显,‘香水梨’显著高于‘嘉宝梨’,后熟期间均逐渐上升;2种梨后熟期间石细胞含量基本不变,硬度逐渐减小,质量损失率逐渐增大,均为‘香水梨’高于‘嘉宝梨’。综上所述,‘香水梨’和‘嘉宝梨’均属于跃变型果实,后熟期间果实色泽和质地等品质性状均显著提升。     

Extending shelf-life of persimmon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Diospyros kaki</Emphasis> L.) fruit by hot air treatment

‘Qiandaowuhe’ persimmon fruits (Diospyros kaki L.) were stored at 20 °C after exposed to 20 °C (control), 44 °C (T ₄₄), 48 °C (T ₄₈) or 52 °C (T ₅₂) hot air for 3 h, respectively. Firmness, weight loss, peel color, total carotenoids content, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), respiration, and ethylene production and cell wall hydrolysis enzymes activities were monitored to determine the efficacy of hot air treatment in delaying persimmon fruit ripening. Results showed that ‘Qiandaowuhe’ persimmon fruit displayed a typical climacteric pattern of respiration and ethylene production. Peak of CO₂ and ethylene production was observed after 4 days. Fruit softening was accompanied by a progressive increase in weight loss, total carotenoids content and decrease in h°. The activities of pectinmethylesterase (PME) and polygalacturonase (PG) sharply increased and reached maximal values after 4 and 6 days, respectively. Hot air treatment significantly delayed the onset of climacteric ethylene production, respiration, PME and PG activities in persimmon fruit. Moreover, it also significantly retarded the increase in carotenoids content and SSC, while decreased the firmness, h°, and TA. The hot air treatment promoted fruit weight loss. The shelf-life of persimmon ripening increased 4 days by T ₄₄, and 6 days by T ₄₈ or T ₅₂. Results suggest that hot air treatments can greatly extend the postharvest life of ‘Qiandaowuhe’ persimmon fruit.     

Effects of gamma irradiation and storage temperature on carotenoids and ascorbic acid content of mangoes on ripening

Synthesis and accumulation of carotenoids in the flesh of Alphonso mangoes on ripening was found to be maximal in fruits stored at tropical ambient temperatures (28–32°C). Gamma irradiation of preclimacteric fruits at 25 krad did not affect the formation of carotenoids. Storage of preclimacteric fruits either irradiated or unirradiated at 7–20°C for 16–43 days caused a substantial reduction in carotenoid formation even when these fruits were subsequently ripened under optimal conditions. Regardless of storage temperature, carotenes always exceeded xanthophylls in the ripe fruits and, in general, irradiated fruits showed higher levels of carotenes in comparison with unirradiated samples. Ascorbic acid loss during ripening was maximum at ambient temperatures while lengthy storage at low temperatures caused a net increase in ascorbic acid levels. Irradiation seemed to accentuate the loss in ascorbic acid during ripening.     

Browning Potential,PPO, Catalase and Acid Phosphatase Activities during Ripening of Non-chilled and Chilled Avocado

During storage at 17°C, an increase in respiration and ethylene production and a decrease in firmness occurred sooner in avocados chilled previously than in non-chilled ones. The browning potential of avocado mesocarp changes markedly during ripening of both non-chilled and chilled fruits, reaching the same maximal level in both groups. However, non-chilled ripened avocados are characterised by a much lower browning potential than ripened chilled fruits. The changes in browning potential during ripening are associated with larger changes in polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and catalase than in acid phosphatase activities. The levels of PPO and of catalase detected during ripening are about the same in non-chilled and chilled avocado, yet the former produced much more ethylene than the latter, implying that the level of these enzymes per se does not determine the level of ethylene produced by the fruit.     

Spatial and temporal changes in the volatile profile of Alphonso mango upon exogenous ethylene treatment

Alphonso is a highly favoured and exported mango cultivar among the vast mango germplasm of India. Being a climacteric fruit, ethylene plays an important role in ripening of mango. For deeper understanding of effect of pre-climacteric ethylene treatment on volatile profiles of Alphonso mango, 26 volatiles were tracked through six ripening stages of pulp and skin of ethylene-treated and control Alphonso fruits. The study revealed accelerated ripening in terms of early appearance of ripening-specific compounds, lactones and mesifuran, upon ethylene treatment. While the level of lactones remained unaffected, the mesifuran level vastly increased upon ethylene treatment. Skin showed high terpene content while pulp had higher amount of lactones compared to skin. This work points towards involvement of ethylene as a natural hormone in the biosynthesis of lactones and furanones in naturally ripened fruits; whereas, an increase in the terpene level during ripening appears to be independent of ethylene.     

Residual effect of atomised water vapour treatment on carbohydrate metabolism during ripening of cv “Fino de Jete” cherimoya fruit

Atomised hot water vapour at between 46 and 54 °C for 60 min was tested as a method of delaying ripening and extending shelf life in cv “Fino de Jete” cherimoya fruit (Annona cherimola Mill.). Heat treatment at 46 °C stimulated the respiration rate and starch degradation, induced ethylene production, increased the accumulation of soluble sugars and α-amylase activity, and moved the onset of ethylene production (OEP) forward. Treatment at 50 °C, and especially at 52 °C, delayed the climacteric peak and the OEP, decreased sugar and organic acid accumulation, and reduced α-amylase and invertase activity. The results obtained indicate that temperatures higher than 48 °C slowed physiological processes and carbohydrate metabolism and extend the shelf life of the cherimoya fruits, while temperatures higher than 52 °C blocked ripening irreversibly.     

Some postharvest factors associated with the occurrence of chilling injury in banana

Unripe Cavendish banana fruits were stored at 5–7°C under normal or 0.14 normal atmospheric pressure for two weeks, with or without a continuous supply of ethylene, prior to ripening at 20°C. Pulp/peel ratio, colour index and production of volatile were measured following prestorage at chilling temperature, and after reaching ripeness at 20°C. CO₂ and C₂H₄ production were also measured at 20°C. The results show that green fruits had lower pulp/peel ratios than treated green fruits while the reverse was true following ripening at 20°C. Yellow colour development was retarded by 5°C pretreatment, and low pressure storage had no noticeable effect on colour index. Prestorage at 7°C, however, improved colour development slightly. Acetates, butyrates and alcohol produced by fruits prestored at chilling temperature and 0.14 normal atmospheric pressure showed both qualitative and quantitative differences compared with those produced by non-chilled fruits.     

Quality improvement and extension of shelf life by 1-methylcyclopropene in plum as affected by ripening stage at harvest

Plum (Prunus domestica L. cv. ‘President’) fruits were harvested at two pre-climacteric stages of ripeness (stage 1 and stage 2), and then treated with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) at two doses (0.3 and 0.5 μl l⁻¹) followed by 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 weeks of cold storage and their respective 7 days of shelf life at 20 °C. Both 1-MCP doses were effective in terms of ethylene inhibition during shelf life after cold storage, for both ripening stages. Similarly, lower weight losses, delayed colour changes, reduced softening rate and diminished ripening index were found in 1-MCP treated plums than in controls at both stages of ripeness. Hence, during cold storage and shelf life, the efficacy of 1-MCP on ethylene production, weight loss, pulp firmness and ripening index was dose-dependent, while for colour and respiration rate the dose-dependence was only found during shelf life. The storability of 1-MCP treated plums could be extended up to 4 weeks of cold storage plus 7 days at 20 °C, and only up to 1 week of cold storage plus 7 days at 20 °C for controls. Then, 1-MCP is an effective tool for quality improvement and extension of shelf life in plums, and fruit might be harvested in stage 2 of ripening, at which the most desirable organoleptic attributes had been developed on tree.     

Effect of aminoethoxyvinylglycine and low-pressure storage on the post-storage production of aroma volatiles by Golden Delicious apples

Golden Delicious apple fruits untreated (control) or treated pre-harvest with the ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) were stored at 2°C under either ambient pressure or low pressure (6.7 kPa; LPS). The production of aroma volatiles during post-storage periods at 20°C was measured on fruits stored for 3, 5, 7 and 9 months. Aroma production of AVG- or LPS-treated fruits immediately after storage was considerably lower. However, after 14 days at 20°C, aroma production almost reached values for control fruits (AVG fruits had to be treated with 50 μl C₂H₄ litre^?1). After the longer storage this effect of a post-storage period at 20°C declined gradually and finally was almost absent. Only a post-storage period at 2°C in a normal atmosphere followed by a period at 20°C was now able to partially revive long-stored fruits from this ‘residual’ effect of AVG or LPS. It is suggested that changes in the sensitivity of fruits to C₂H₄ are responsible for the observed decline in aroma production.     

Polyamine Accumulation Following Hot-Water Dips Influences Chilling Injury and Decay in'Friar' Plum Fruit

Mature‐green (Prunus salicina Lindl. cv.‘Friar’) plums were treated in water at 40°C for 40 min, 45°C for 35 min, 50°C for 30 min or 55°C for 25 min, stored at 0°C for 35 d plus 9 d of ripening at 20 to 25°C. During cold storage, putrescine and cadaverine accumulated most compared to spermine and spermidine, especially in fruits treated at 45 or 50°C, compared to other treatments. Chilling injury (CI) and decay symptoms were severe in fruits of control, 55 and 40°C‐treated fruits. Decay incidence was also high in fruits stored at room temperature. Chilling injury and decay symptoms were retarded in fruits treated at 45 and 50°C, which also maintained increased polyamines and low ethylene. By the end of their shelf life, only 45 and 50°C‐HWD treated fruits were fit for market.     

Postharvest Physiology and Quality Maintenance of Sliced Pear and Strawberry Fruits

Sliced strawberries (cvs.‘Pajaro’ and 'G-3′) and partially ripe pears (cv.‘Bartlett’) were dipped in various solutions (citric acid, ascorbic acid, and/or calcium chloride) and stored in air or in controlled atmospheres (CA) for 7 days at 2.5°C followed by one day at 20°C. Fruit slices respired at a higher rate than whole fruits at both temperatures. CA storage suppressed respiration and ethylene production rates of sliced fruits. Firmness of strawberry and pear slices was maintained by storage in air + 12% CO₂ and in a 0.5% O₂ atmosphere, respectively, or by dipping in 1% calcium chloride. These treatments also resulted in lighter colored pear slices than the air control treatment.     

温度和乙烯对京白梨后熟进程及其品质的影响

研究温度、乙烯对京白梨果实后熟进程及品质的影响。测定果实乙烯释放量、呼吸强度、果实硬度、可溶性固形物含量、pH值、果皮颜色ΔE 值和h 值、失重率、病果率等指标,并进行感官评价。结果表明：温度和乙烯直接影响果实的后熟进程和后熟品质;后熟过程中果实硬度与后熟时间呈极显著线性负相关(P＜ 0.01),温度过高或过低均导致果皮转色和果实硬度后熟不一致,适度的低温(14℃)延迟了果实乙烯峰值的启动时间,高温(28℃)抑制乙烯的生成和果实的软化,温度越高,失重率和烂果率越高;外源乙烯有助于果实乙烯的生成和呼吸强度的增加,乙烯加快了果实的后熟进程,并且后熟更均匀一致,且品质最佳。研究表明：京白梨后熟的适宜温度范围17～23℃,最佳温度20℃,最佳乙烯催熟用量为100μL/L。