The storage of 'Tahiti' limes under low temperatures enables the extension of the commercialization period. However the loss of the skin green color and the occurrence of chilling injuries prevent such advantage. The purpose of this work was to verify the efficiency of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), an inhibition of ethylene action, during the cold storage of 'Tahiti' lime. Fruits were treated for 12 hours with 1-methylcyclopropene at concentrations of 0 or 1.0 mL L-1 and then were stored at 5 or 10ºC for 30, 60 and 90 days of storage (+ 3 days of simulated marketing at 20ºC). Application of 1-MCP conserved the color of stored fruits at 10ºC during 30 days. Fruits treated with 1-MCP and stored at 5ºC presented less respiration than non-treated fruits. High levels of ethanol and acetaldehyde were observed after 60 days in non-treated fruits. The occurrence of chilling injuries on fruits was not verified after a 30-day storage period, however after 60 days of storage, 40 to 58% of fruits kept at 5ºC presented chilling injuries. All fruits stored at 5ºC presented chilling injuries after 90 days.
Citrus latifolia; chilling injury; ethanol; acetaldehyde
