Efficacy of 1-MCP treatment in tomato fruit 1.: Duration and concentration of 1-MCP treatment to gain an effective delay of postharvest ripening

'Raf' tomato fruit were harvested at the mature-green stage and treated with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) at 0.5 (for 3, 6, 12 or 24 h) or mu l 1(-1) for 3 or 6 h. Fruit were stored at 10 degrees C for 7 days and a further 4 days at 20 degrees C for a shelf life period. All 1-MCP treatments reduced both ethylene production and respiration rate and in turn retarded the changes in parameters related to fruit ripening, such as fruit softening, colour (a*) change, and increase in ripening index (TSS/TA ratio). These effects were significantly higher when 1-MCP was applied at 0.5 mu l 1(-1) for 24 h. In order to obtain the maximum benefit from 1-MCP, this treatment would be the most suitable for commercial purposes. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.