This work was carried out to study respiration and ethylene production behavior of red strawberry-guavas and to assess the preservation of fruit postharvest quality by treatment with different doses of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and fruit packaging in plastic films, under refrigeration. Red strawberry-guavas exhibit a climacteric behavior of respiration and ethylene production. Fruits treated with increasing doses of 1-MCP (0, 100, 300, 600, and 1,200 nL L-1) and stored at 10±1C/90±5% RH for 10 days had a substantial delay in ripening, with a better retention of texture and inhibition in the change of the color of the skin. Fruits packed in different plastic films (low density polyethylene, vinyl polychloride, and nylon based films) showed, in general terms, a better retention of texture and green color of the skin, and lower mass loss during cold storage (at 5C and 10C). The results showed that red strawberry-guavas are highly perishable, as a result of their high respiration and ethylene production rates. This requires immediate storage under refrigeration, and the treatment with 1-MCP or fruit packing in plastic films to preserve their postharvest quality.
Psidium cattleianum Sabine; ethylene; respiration; temperature; 1-methylcyclopropene; plastic films
