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Influence of ethylene on the ripening of stored apples

1976; Wiley; Volume: 27; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1002/jsfa.2740270414

1097-0010

Michael Knee,

Plant Surface Properties and Treatments

Abstract When preclimacteric apples were stored in air at 3.3°C rapid ethylene production usually began after 5 to 10 days. Treatment with ethylene caused earlier softening of apples, especially at the highest concentrations tested, 1–2 ml/litre. No effects on soluble polyuronide or peel chlorophyll levels were observed. It was not possible to induce earlier softening or compositional changes by ethylene treatment of apples stored in 2% O 2 :98% N 2 at 3.3°C. Ethylene removal, by permanganate, delayed softening and increase in soluble polyuronide in preclimacteric, but not in postclimacteric, apples, stores in 2% O 2 :98% N 2 at 3.3°C. Peel chlorophyll degradation was slow and unaffected by ethylene removal or fruit maturity. Loss of galactose residues from the cell wall was similar at high and low ethylene concentrations. Removal of ethylene from apples stored in 5% CO 2 :16% O 2 :79% N 2 at 3.3°C did not affect their ripening, but delayed softening of apples stored in 9% CO 2 :12% O 2 :79% N 2 at 3.3°C.