Improving the Quality and Shelf Life of Guava Fruits Using 1-Methylcyclopropene

Storage of guava fruits by using refrigerators as post-harvest treatment is commercially acceptable but is expensive, especially in developing countries. So, the present investigation was carried out with the objective to compare the efficacy of 1-MCP and their most effective concentrations for the shelf-life enhancement of guava fruits without any deterioration in fruit quality in the winter season at both cold and room-temperature storage conditions. Horticultural mature guava fruits were treated with 150, 300, and 600 ppb, and then stored at room temperature at 21°C, RH 45%, or cold storage at 6°C, RH 85%. The Results showed that the highest concentration of 1-MCP (600ppb) significantly (P<0.05) preserved fruit firmness, and organoleptic quality attributes. In addition, the fruit weight loss, decay percentage, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), and fruit color development were significantly preserved compared to other treatments under both cold and room storage conditions. Generally, 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) could maintain the quality of guava fruit combined with cold temperatures for 24 days. While 150 and 300 ppb 1-MCP preserved the quality of fruits for up to 20 days compared to untreated fruits for 16 days. Otherwise, treated fruits with 600ppb of 1-MCP kept at room storage temperature preserved fruits quality for up to 20 days compared with untreated fruits for up to 12 days stored at room storage condition. Hence, 1-MCP as post-harvest treatments preserved the overall quality parameters and enhanced the shelf life of guava fruit even after two weeks of storage at ambient temperature and three weeks after cold storage. Otherwise, 1-MCP could be an alternative to cold storage, as it is more economical than cold storage, especially in developing countries.