Postharvest UV-C treatment combined with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), followed by storage in continuous low-level ethylene atmosphere, improves the quality of tomatoes

Penta Pristijono, Konstantinos Papoutsis, Christopher J. Scarlett, Michael C. Bowyer, Quan V. Vuong, Costas E. Stathopoulos, John B. Golding

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Mature green tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv Neang Pich) were exposed to 13.6 kJ m−2 UV-C or 0.5 μL L−1 1-MCP or combination of 13.6 kJ m−2 UV-C and 0.5 μL L−1 1-MCP, with appropriate untreated controls. After treatment, tomatoes were stored in air containing 0.1 μL L−1 ethylene at 20°C and 100% RH. The untreated fruit ripened significantly faster than those of all other treatments. UV-C treatment alone was able to delay fruit ripening by up to 5 days longer compared to untreated fruits whilst the additional of 1-MCP further delayed fruit ripening. UV-C and 1-MCP treatments alone or in combination had significantly slower ethylene production rates throughout the storage period. The fruit treated with the combination of 1-MCP and UV-C was significantly firmer and had higher total phenolic content compared to that of the other treatments. However, there was no difference between treatments in soluble solids content/titratable acids ratio, chlorophyll content, lycopene content and total antioxidant activity. These results show that UV-C and 1-MCP treatment delay ripening and improve the quality of tomatoes in the presence of low-level ethylene during storage. This new treatment could be used to extend the shelf-life of mature green tomatoes through the supply chain without the use of refrigeration.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)521-529
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology
Volume92
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 3 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Solanum lycopersicum
  • chlorophyll
  • ethylene
  • lycopene
  • ripening
  • total antioxidant

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Genetics
  • Horticulture

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