Shelf-life extension of highbush blueberry using 1-methylcyclopropene stored under air and controlled atmosphere

Blueberry quality declines rapidly after harvest. The potential of 1-MCP for controlling ripening in ‘Lateblue’ blueberry fruit under air and controlled atmosphere (CA) storage was explored. After harvest, fruit were exposed to 0.3 µl l−1 (in 2006) and to 0.3 and 0.6 µl l−1 (in 2007) at 20°C for 24 h. After treatment blueberries were stored in air at 0°C (regular atmosphere) and also stored in controlled atmosphere storage (3 kPa O2 + 11 kPa CO2). The changes of ripening and quality parameters of the berries were monitored in 1 week intervals. Measurements of firmness, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, weight loss, anthocyanin contents, antioxidant activities, total phenolic content were investigated. Blueberries treated with 1-MCP showed a reduced weight loss during storage and hence, had a lower total soluble solid content compared to untreated fruit. 1-MCP treatment had no significant effect on anthocyanin contents, antioxidant activities and total phenolic content. Since 1-MCP applied in air storage showed better results than the control in the first weeks of storage, an application of 1-MCP before air storage could be the best way to reduce the ripening process for short storage period, but not for long storage period.