Aminoethoxyvinylglycine: isolated and combined with other growth regulators on quality of ‘Brookfield’ apples after storage

Growth regulators are used in the production of apples worldwide, especially to extend the harvest period and maintain postharvest quality. This study aimed to investigate the effects of applying aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) in isolation as well as in combination with other growth regulators and postharvest techniques on the harvest quality and storage potential of ‘Brookfield’ apples (Malus domestica), a ‘Gala’ strain. Fruit receiving AVG only had the highest starch content and the highest titratable acidity at harvest. After 8 months of storage, the AVG + 1-MCP (1-methylcyclopropene) and AVG + ABS (ethylene absorption) conserved higher flesh firmness than to all the other treatments. Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) application induced ACC oxidase enzyme activity at harvest, but not after storage. AVG application, with or without the aid of another technique, did not decrease the red skin color of ‘Brookfield’ apples. Low mealiness and a high healthy fruit percentage was obtained when the fruits were submitted to pre-harvest AVG application combined with NAA, 1-MCP and ABS. Internal carbon dioxide had an inverse correlation with the quantity of healthy fruit and was directly correlated with mealiness

ETHANOL AND NITRIC OXIDE IN QUALITY MAINTENANCE OF ‘GALAXY’ APPLES STORED UNDER CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE

<div><p>ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of ethanol and two nitric oxide dose applications on the maintenance of the post-storage quality of ‘Galaxy’ apple during storage under controlled atmosphere (CA). Treatments evaluated were: [1] 1.2 kPa O2 + 2.0 kPa CO2; [2] CA + 20 µL L-1 of nitric oxide, [3] CA + 40 µL L-1 of nitric oxide; [4] CA + 1 ml of ethanol kg-1 fruit. Fruits received treatments before storage and were kept under CA during eight months and seven days of storage at 20 °C. Fruits had been kept on CA for eight months and seven days at 20° C. Fruits treated with ethanol showed higher ethylene production, low flesh firmness, high flesh breakdown, mealiness and acetaldehyde production. Fruits treated with 40 µL L-1 nitric oxide showed lower ethylene production, respiration rate and ACC oxidase ( (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid) oxidase enzyme activity. Apples treated with 20 uL L-1 nitric oxide showed higher ethylene production, respiration rate, internal ethylene concentration CO2 and ethanol concentration. Ethanol and nitric oxide application before storage have no benefits in maintaining fruit quality after storage under CA due to lower flesh firmness, higher mealiness incidence, flesh breakdown and decay incidence.</p></div