TY - JOUR TI - Effect of multiple 1-MCP treatments to extend shelf life of tomato DO - https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T37H1H8M PY - 2013 AB - Ethylene is a plant growth hormone responsible for ripening and senescence of fresh produce. But production of excess ethylene leads to over ripening and facilitates microbial growth thereby reducing the shelf life. Therefore control over ethylene action is required. To increase shelf life of fresh produce 1-Methylenecyclopropene (1-MCP) ethylene antagonist shown promising result by inhibiting ethylene response at receptor level. The current 1-MCP treatment requires a storage room with controlled atmosphere overnight. However this treatment is effective only for the initial period of time as continuous formation of ethylene receptors triggers ripening. Controlled Release Packaging (CRP) technology can be used as an alternative to existing 1-MCP treatment by providing the ability to replenish 1-MCP and prolong is exposure to fresh fruits. The first objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of multiple 1-MCP treatments on quality attributes of fresh tomatoes. This study was conducted at turning stage of tomatoes using three treatments: 1) control (no 1-MCP), 2) single 1-MCP treatment (1200nl) and 3) multiple 1-MCP treatments (100nl/day for 12 days). The multiple 1-MCP treatments prolonged the shelf life of tomatoes by maintaining quality attributes including weight, color, firmness, pH and total soluble solids (TSS) at room temperature compared to the single 1-MCP treatment. Not all quality attributes were affected to the same extent, the strongest effect of multiple 1-MCP treatments was on firmness of the tomatoes and not much difference was noted on TSS and pH of tomato juice. The second objective was to quantify the release of 1-MCP through Tyvek, LDPE and PLA polymer sachets at room temperature under 90% RH to test their potential usage as CRP film material. The release of 1-MCP through Tyvek sachet is almost 90% in 10-12 hours whereas LDPE sachet has a slower a release around 10% in 10-12 hours. Both polymers have potential use as an active layer in CRP system. PLA sachet does not release 1-MCP, but it may be used as a barrier layer of the package of CRP system. KW - Food Science KW - Tomatoes--Effect of ethylene on KW - Tomatoes--Preservation LA - eng ER -