Influence of Different Concentrations of 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and Storage Conditions on the Physico-chemical Properties and Shelf-life of Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Abstract

‘Power’ tomato cultivar was harvested at the mature green stage and studied to determine how different 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) concentrations and storage conditions may influence its quality and shelf-life. A 3 x 2 factorial arrangement in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used and it was replicated three times. The factors were the tomato cultivar: ‘Power’, three 1-MCP concentration levels: 1 ppm, 2 ppm, untreated was 0 ppm and two storage conditions: Ambient and refrigerator conditions. The research was conducted between January and May 2017 at the Department of Horticulture, KNUST in Kumasi, Ghana. The 1-MCP concentration required were obtained by adding 100 ml of heated distilled water at 50°C to appropriate amounts of 1-MCP (MaxFresh, 3.3%) powder to obtain the 1 ppm and 2 ppm concentrations. After the 1-MCP powder has completely dissolved, it was then placed in a sealed bottle with a mini fan attached and then placed in the treatment chamber and released in a form of vapour on fruits and sealed immediately to avoid gas loss for a period of 24 hours. They were then stored in the refrigerator and ambient conditions at a temperature of 13°C-15°C and 29.5°C with Relative Humidity of 60-75% and 80-85% respectively. There was a significantly (P<0.01) delayed in ripening as characterized by changes in pH, firmness and total titratable acidity. Tomatoes treated with 1 ppm and 2 ppm of 1-MCP concentrations had delayed ripening when stored in the refrigerator and as a result had a longer shelf-life of 74 and 90 days respectively compared to fruits that were not treated and kept at ambient condition which took 60 days. There is confirmation from these results that the use of 1-MCP have saleable outlook for those who grow and trade in a way of delaying the ripening of green tomatoes.