1-Methylcyclopropene Optimal Concentration and Treatment Conditions for Extending Storage Life of Strawberries

Abstract

Given that strawberries are very short-lived and easily perishable, extending their shelf life would be very cost effective. Strawberries of the Arosa cultivar were treated with various concentrations of 1-methyl­cyclopropene (0.050, 0.100, 0.500 ppm) in order to determine the optimal concentration for extending their storage life. Two different treatment conditions were used: treatment for 2 h at 20°C and treatment for 20h at 4°C. Total phenols content, total anthocyanins, total soluble solids, fruit firmness, titratable acidity, pH and weght loss were monitored for 11 days of storage in the cold room at 3^oC. The best results were achieved by treatment with 0.1 ppm 1-methylcyclopropene for 2 h at 20°C.