EFFECT OF ETHYLENE ON POSTHARVEST LIFE OF STRAWBERRIES

Strawberries are non-climacteric fruit and therefore regarded as independent of ethylene for ripening. The concentration of ethylene in punnets of strawberries in wholesale markets was found to be in the range 0.03-0.36 mu l l(-1) per punnet. Experiments at 20 and 0 degrees C, where the ethylene concentration was controlled, showed that the storage life of strawberries was extended by reducing the ethylene level. Maximum storage was obtained at the lowest ethylene levels used of 0.05 mu l l(-1) at 20 degrees C and 0.005 mu l l(-1) at 0 degrees C. The addition of potassium permanganate to punnets held at either of the above temperatures significantly extended storage life of the fruit and this may be capable of commercial exploitation.