THE EFFECT OF SMARTFRESH™ (1-METHYLCYCLOPROPENE) ON POST HARVEST STORAGE QUALITY OF ‘BON CHRETIEN’ PEARS

Due to its ethylene blocking effect, SmartFresh™ has potential to maintain the quality of a range of fresh produce during cold storage and shelf life. SmartFresh™ applied at concentrations between 50 nL•L^-1 and 1000 nL•L^-1 proved effective in extending cold storage duration and shelf life of ‘Bon Chretien’ pears. Application of 500 nL•L^-1 and 1000 nL•L^-1 SmartFresh™ resulted in fruit that did not ripen normally. Fruit remained too firm and skin colour development was inadequate. Application of SmartFresh™ at lower concentrations (50 nL•L^-1, 100 nL•L^-1 and 200 nL•L^-1) to fruit at more advanced maturities enabled effective improvements in fruit storage duration and shelf life without adversely affecting eating quality. SmartFresh™ application (100 nL•L^-1 and 500 nL•L^-1) to fruit stored at –0.5°C for 8 weeks indicated no benefit, regardless of concentration applied.