Abstract
The present study was conducted to determine the effect of different concentrations and exposure periods of 1-MCP on physiological and biochemical qualities of ‘Ambul’ banana at ambient conditions. Combinations of 0.5 and 1 ppm concentrations of 1-MCP and 12 and 18 h of exposureperiods were used. Ethylene production, respiration rate, ascorbic acid content, pH, titratable acidity (TA), sugar content and pulp-to-peel ratio were measured at initial stage and during the storage period. 1-MCP treated ‘Ambul’ banana fruit significantly (p≤0.05) delayed the peak ofethylene production. Fruits treated with 0.5 ppm of 1 MCP for 12 and 18 h delayed the peak of ethylene emission by 13 days, while the fruit exposed to the higher dose (1 ppm)for 12 and 18 h delayed the same by 17 and 19 days respectively. Non-treated control fruits exhibited peak ethylene emission on day 5. Pulp-to-peel ratio of banana increased from 2.42 to 7.58 with ripening. Fruits treated with the higher dose of 1 MCP for 18 h showed the least rate of increase in pulp-to-peel ratio indicating the delayed ripening. Pulp pH significantly (p≤0.05) decreased within first five days in the control compared to treatments. All the treatments and control exhibited increase in sucrose, fructose and glucose contents during storage period while the lowest change in sugar content during storage period was shown by fruits treated with the higher dose of 1 MCP for 18 h. In conclusion, exposing banana fruits to 1-MCP at the dose of 1 ppm for 18 h extended the shelf life of ‘Ambul’ banana for 19 days under ambient conditions with a desirable marketable quality.
Highlights
Banana (Musa spp.) is the most widely cultivated and consumed fruit in Sri Lanka (Hirimburegama et al, 2004)
1-MCP-treated fruits significantly delayed the peak of subsequent ethylene production; 0.5 ppm MCP for 12 h (T1) and 0.5 ppm MCP for 18 h (T2) until 13 days, and 1 ppm 1-MCP for 12 (T3) and 18 h (T4) until 17 and 19 days, respectively
1-MCP delayed the ripening in banana, treated fruits again responded to ethylene due to synthesis of new ethylene sites on fruits
Summary
Banana (Musa spp.) is the most widely cultivated and consumed fruit in Sri Lanka (Hirimburegama et al, 2004). Prevention of or delaying the effect of ethylene on ripening of banana is of great importance in increasing shelf life. One such method is, making transgenic plants with altered ethylene production levels and with chemical inhibitors of ethylene reception (Zhang et al, 2006), which is not a feasible solution for a developing country like Sri Lanka. Prolonging the postharvest life of ‘Ambul’ banana is one of the major solutions to develop the banana industry in Sri Lanka, which will contribute to increased export volume, and thereby more foreign exchange earnings. One method to prolong the shelf-life of banana is the use of Controlled Atmosphere (CA), which involves high capital. The general benefits of MA with ethylene scrubbers are limited since temperature increase can adversely effect on fruit quality and shelf life (Silva et al, 2010)
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