The effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on inhibition of ripening in avocado
fruit is very obvious. In avocado cv. Ettinger, which is a Guatemalan-Mexican
cultivar, 1-MCP was effective at low concentrations of 300ppb. It reduced
CO2 and ethylene production which was correlated to the decrease in fruit softening
and reduced electrical conductivity (EC) of the pulp. Measurement of EC using
a penetrating probe inside the pulp can serve as a good index for membrane permeability.
Although the ethylene peak in the MCP-treated avocado was delayed, it was higher
than in the untreated fruit. The MCP-treated fruit maintained a greener peel
color due to less chlorophyll breakdown, after 3 weeks storage at 5C and additional
5 days shelf life at 20C.