1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) inhibits ethylene action retarding ripening in various climacteric and non-climacteric fruits. Considering the 1-MCP potentialities in delaying ripening, the objective of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of this ethylene blocker on ripening of carambola fruits kept in ambient condition. Fruits of Fwang Tung cultivar, harvested at mature green maturity stage (50% yellow), were treated with 1-MCP at 500 etaL.L-1, and 1000 etaL.L-1 in plastic boxes hermetically shut for 24 hours at 25(0)C. After the application, these fruits and the control (without treatment) were transferred to an ambient at 21.6+0.9(0)C and 59.7% RH, where they were maintained for up to nine days, and were sampled at each three days. The experiment was arranged as completely randomized design in a factorial scheme (two concentrations of 1-MCP and the control, with four periods of evaluation). It was used three replications of six fruits per treatment and periods of evaluation. Fruit respiration was significantly reduced in 36.62% and 68.89%, when was applied 500 etaL.L-1 and 1000 etaL.L-1 of 1-MCP in relation to untreated fruits, respectively. The use of 1-MCP also led to a better fruit colour maintenance, however, ripening was not significantly delayed by the use of this product.
Averrhoa carambola L.; respiration; Fwang Tung; 1- methylcyclopropene
