The elicitor AsES stimulates ethylene synthesis, induce ripening and enhance protection against disease naturally produced in avocado fruit

Results showed that AsES treatment increases significantly ethylene production at early stages of ripening (3 days post treatment); while in fruits treated with water or 1-MCP + AsES the maximum production occurs later (6 and 7 days post treatment, respectively). Enhanced respiration rate, weight loss and soluble solids content, accompanied with the decreased in firmness were observed in fruits treated with AsES. Also, fruits treated with AsES halted the growth the opportunistic pathogens, whereas the protection effect was not observed when avocado fruit were pre-treated with 1-MCP, suggesting that the effect is due to the activation of the ET defense signaling pathway. These results uncover a potential use of AsES on the postharvest management of ripening, and open new research lines to study the relationship between fruit quality and induction of disease resistance in AsES-treated fruit.