Abstract

ALVES, Erlani de Oliveira et al. Ripening of 'bruno' kiwifruits submitted to impact mechanical injury and treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene. Bragantia [online]. 2010, vol.69, n.3, pp. 753-758. ISSN 0006-8705.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0006-87052010000300029.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of the impact injury and treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene on the ripening of 'Bruno' kiwifruits. The treatments evaluated were: control (T₁); mechanical injury with fruit drop at 60 cm (T₂) and 120 cm (T₃); 1-MCP (1µL L^-1) (T₄); and 1-MCP (1µL L^-1) + fruit drop at 120cm (T₅). After the treatments, fruit were stored at 20±2 ÚC and 65±5% RH. The treatment T₃, caused increases respiration and ethylene production rates and reduced flesh firmness and texture. Application of 1-methylcyclopropene reduced ethylene production and respiration rates and increased flesh firmness and texture. In fruit submitted to mechanical injury, the application of 1-methylcyclopropene provided values of flesh firmness, texture, and respiration and ethylene production rates similar to the control treatment. As conclusion, the treatment with 1-MCP can avoid ripening induced by mechanical injury in 'Bruno' kiwifruit.

Keywords : Actinidia chinensis; postharvest; ethylene; respiration.