1-MCP in Post-harvest: Physiological Mechanisms of Action and Applications

1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) is an inhibitor of ethylene perception. It binds irreversibly to the ethylene receptors and inhibits downstream processes that are controlled by ethylene. In the area of postharvest this means many ripening processes of climacteric fruits, such as softening, color and aroma development, respiration increase and organic acid decrease are inhibited. However, beyond these processes, ethylene also has a role to play in responses to pathogen attack and to wounding, such as occurs during preparation of fresh-cut commodities. 1-MCP has effects on biochemical responses to these occurrences as well. In addition, 1-MCP has been used on non-climacteric commodities to determine what maturation and senescence processes are under the control of ethylene. This review will describe the current knowledge of the effect of 1-MCP on ripening and senescence, on the responses of harvested produce to pathogen infection, and responses of fresh-cut commodities. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________