Postharvest Application of 1-Methylcyclopropene Maintains Quality and Extends the Shelf-Life of <i>Zizania latifolia</i> during Storage at 25˚C

Abstract

The effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on postharvest quality of Zizania latifolia during storage at 25˚C were investigated. The results pointed out that a postharvest application of 1-MCP maintained the good visual appearance of fresh Z. latifolia, inhibited browning, mildew and weight loss at the bottom of Z. latifolia, and there is no significant changes on L, a*, b* and ΔE during the whole storage period. In addition, 1-MCP treatment inhibited the respiratory intensity of Z. latifolia during the first three days of storage, but it was significantly higher than that of the control on the sixth day of storage. Compared with the control, 1-MCP treatment maintained relatively high SOD, CAT, APX activities and low PAL, POD, PLD, lipase and LOX activities, delayed the decline of AsA content, reduced the accumulation of O2-, H2O2 and MDA, and ultimately maintained the integrity of cell structure and delayed the senescence of Z. latifolia. In addition, positive effects of 1-MCP on maintaining the cell structure integrity were observed in this investigation throughout the storage period at 25˚C.