A mechanistic modelling approach to understand 1-MCP inhibition of ethylene action and quality changes during ripening of apples

1-Methylcyclopropene maintains postharvest quality in Norwegian apple fruit

Norwegian fruit production is mostly destined for the local market and can suffer from poor-quality retention during storage. 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) is an inhibitor of ethylene perception used to maintain the physical and functional quality of pome fruit. Extensive work has been carried out on the effect of 1-MCP on apples, but not on cultivars grown in Norway. In this work, the potential of 1-MCP application (0.625 ml l ^-1 for 24 h at 0 ± 1℃) for ripening control of the apple cultivars 'Aroma', 'Red Gravenstein', and 'Summered' was studied during 1 and 1.5 months of cold storage; both scenarios were followed by five days of shelf life. The application of 1-MCP reduced softening by an average of 12% in 'Aroma', 'Red Gravenstein', and 'Summered' apples when cold stored for both 1 and 1.5 months as compared to control. External colour remained similar to initial values in 1-MCP fruit when compared to control apples, which presented a significant skin darkening. This indicated a delay in the ripening process. 1-MCP treatment did not affect total soluble solids content. 'Aroma' samples treated with 1-MCP showed a low sucrose hydrolysis, indicating a slower ripening process. This work confirms that 1-MCP postharvest treatment shows great potential for maintenance of apple cvs. in Norway during cold storage and shelf life.

Application of palladium-modified zeolite for prolonging post-harvest shelf life of banana

BACKGROUND

The marketability of banana is limited by the rapid rate of ripening. However, the traditional post-harvest technologies may not be desirable. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of a reusable material for the food preservation industry.

RESULTS

The nanocomposite-based palladium (Pd)-modified zeolite (Pd/zeolite) was prepared by impregnating Pd into zeolite. Pd/zeolite had a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller dinitrogen specific surface area of 475 m² g^-1 with crystal structure similar to Y-zeolite. Transmission electron microscopy images showed the dispersion of Pd particles over the multi-pore zeolite support. Pd/zeolite uniquely acted as an adsorbent and a catalyst and was able to remove ethylene even after reaching breakthrough point. To prove Pd/zeolite is reusable, a 99 ± 0.8% ethylene removal efficiency still remained even after five consecutive cycles with repeated use of Pd/zeolite. The presence of Pd/zeolite significantly decreased the ethylene concentration during 18 days of storage at 20 ± 2 °C.

CONCLUSIONS

Pd/zeolite could delay the ripening of banana and improve its firmness and the peel color significantly. Findings indicated that the as-prepared Pd/zeolite is an effective adsorbent/catalyst with high potential for practical application in ethylene removal, especially for the post-harvest period. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.