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Responses of banana fruit to treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene

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Abstract

Experiments were conducted to determine levels of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) exposure needed to prevent ethylene-stimulated banana fruit ripening, characterise responses of ethylene-treated fruit to subsequent treatment with 1-MCP, and to test effects of subsequent ethylene treatment on 1-MCP-treated fruit softening. Fruit softening was measured at 20°C and 90% relative humidity. One hour exposure at 20°C to 1000 nl 1-MCP/l essentially eliminated ethylene-stimulated ripening effects. Exposure for 12 h at 20°C to just 50 nl 1-MCP/l was similarly effective. Fruit ripening initiated by ethylene treatment could also be delayed with subsequent 1-MCP treatment. However, 1-MCP treatment only slowed down ripening of ethylene-treated fruit when applied at 1 day after ethylene and was ineffective when applied 3 or 5 days after ethylene treatment. The ripening response of fruit treated with 1-MCP and subsequently treated with ethylene varied with interval time between 1-MCP and ethylene treatments. As time increased, the response of 1-MCP-treated fruit to ethylene was enhanced. Responses to 0.1, 1, 10 or 100 µl ethylene/l concentrations were similar. Enzyme kinetic analysis applied to 1-MCP effects on ethylene-induced softening of banana fruit suggested that 1-MCP inhibition is by noncompetitive antagonism of ethylene binding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. South China Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650, P R China Author for correspondence; Phone: +86-20-87705626; Fax: +86-20-87701031; e-mail: ymjiang@163.net

    Yueming Jiang

  2. Postharvest Technology Group, Silsoe College, Cranfield University, Silsoe, Bedford, MK45 4DT, UK

    Daryl C. Joyce

  3. School of Land and Food, The University of Queensland, Gatton College, Qld 4345, Australia

    Andrew J. Macnish

Authors
  1. Yueming Jiang
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  2. Daryl C. Joyce
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  3. Andrew J. Macnish
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Jiang, Y., Joyce, D.C. & Macnish, A.J. Responses of banana fruit to treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene. Plant Growth Regulation 28, 77–82 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006222631666

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