Abstract: In order to explore the effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment and self-developed modified atmosphere (MA) on the storage quality and reactive oxygen species metabolism of kiwifruits, kiwifruits were treated with 1 μL/L 1-MCP and MA separately and in combination and then stored at (20 ± 1) ℃ for 28 days. The results indicated that both 1-MCP treatment and MA storage could maintain fruit firmness, restrain the decrease of titratable acid and the increase of total sugar content, and also reduce ethylene production. 1-MCP treatment was more effective than MA, and the fruits stored under MA condition after 1-MCP treatment could maintain the best quality. Both 1-MCP treatment and MA could increase superoxide dismutase, catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity in kiwifruits during storage, and increase ascorbate (ASC) content during the early and middle stages, thereby decreasing oxidative stress and restrain membrane lipid peroxidation. 1-MCP treatment was more effective during the early and middle stages but less effective than MA during the late stage. The fruits stored under MA condition after 1-MCP treatment had the highest CAT and APX activity and ASC content during the early and middle stages. In conclusion, both 1-MCP treatment and MA could maintain fruit quality and increase key antioxidant enzyme activities and antioxidant substance content of kiwifruits during room temperature storage, and 1-MCP treatment had better preservative effect than MA. MA storage after 1-MCP treatment was the most efficient way to preserve kiwifruits at room temperature.

Key words: kiwifruit, 1-methylcyclopropene, self-developed modified atmosphere, storage quality, reactive oxygen species metabolism