Effect of 1-octylcyclopropene on physiological responses and expression of ethylene receptors gene in harvested tomato fruit

The aim of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of 1-octylcyclopropene (1-OCP), a structural analog of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), on postharvest ripening and senescence of tomato fruit (Solanum lycopersicum Mill., Shenyang, China). The results show that 1-OCP is effective in postponing the occurrence time of ethylene production peak and respiration rate peak, delaying the softening and color change, inhibiting the increasing of soluble solids and the decreasing of titratable acidity, and suppressing the expression of LeETR 1 and LeETR 4 in tomatoes. In addition, 1.2 μL L−1 1-OCP is found to be most effective in delaying ripening and senescence process of tomatoes by inhibiting the activities of enzymes involved in ethylene biosynthesis and gene expression of ethylene receptors. It is suggested that 1-OCP is potential as a given inhibitor when applied before the onset of ethylene action which is crucial when considering the promising candidates for practical use.