Changes in physiology and quality of Laiyang pear in long time storage

Ruiling Liu, Tongfei Lai, Yong Xua, Shiping Tian

Abstract:

Physiological disorders easily occur in Laiyang pear (Pyrus bretschneideri cv. Laiyang) fruit after harvest and result in quality deterioration and short postharvest life. In this paper, we mainly investigated the effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment and controlled atmosphere (CA) with 2% O2 plus 2% CO2 on quality of Laiyang pear and storage time. The results indicated that 1-MCP treatment and CA were effective in maintaining quality and prolonging storage time of Laiyang pear fruit, because 1-MCP and CA could significantly delay fruit senescence via limiting ethylene production, reducing fruit respiration rate, regulating anti-oxidant enzymes and membrane permeability. We consider that the major action modes of 1-MCP and CA, that can maintain harvested quality of Laiyang pear fruit, may be greatly contributed to inhibiting ethylene biosynthesis and regulating anti-oxidant pathways.