Abstract:

The effects of 5 μL/L 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment on postharvest physiology of “Mai”, “Green
Crisp” and “Waizui” plum fruits were investigated. At the same time, according to the measured changes in antioxidase
activities in the three plum fruits during postharvest storage, the mechanism underlying the regulation of physiological
activity by 1-MCP treatment were revealed. The results showed that 5 μL/L 1-MCP treatment postponed the peak of
respiration in the three plum varieties during postharvest storage, and reduced the intensity of respiration. Meanwhile, this
treatment inhibited the increase in relative conductivity in plum fruits and the formation of malondialdehyde. It was also
shown that the 1-MCP treatment effectively maintained the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase in
plum fruits during storage. In conclusion, 5 μL/L 1-MCP treatment can effectively reduce the impact of respiration on plum
fruits, and maintain the integrity of cell membranes of plum fruits and the normal operation of reactive oxygen species
metabolism system to certain degree, which has a positive effect on delaying senescence of plum fruits and reducing loss of
the nutritional value in plum fruit.

Key words: 1-MCP, plum fruits, postharvest physiology