A revised method for the field collection and storage of fruit ethylene samples using evacuated vials

Ethylene is an important indicator of climacteric fruit maturity. Measuring ethylene production may be delayed because of the distance between the sample collection site and the gas chromatograph. Consequently, fruit maturity may be overestimated and harvested prior to optimal ripeness. In this study, 12-mL evacuated Exetainer® vials were used to hold ethylene samples from a static respiration system containing harvested fruit. The collection and transfer system was tested for accuracy of sample transfer to vials and for storability with evacuated vials containing samples held for up to 28 days at room temperature with no loss of sample integrity. Ethylene production differed between day of harvest (day 0) and the following day (day 1) of several stone fruit selections ('Autumn Bright' nectarine, 'August Flame' peach and 'Golden May' apricot) when testing this system. The use of evacuated vials as a storage tool for at harvest collection of ethylene samples, allowing delayed laboratory analysis, was shown to be a viable option for researchers with field sites at great distance to analysis equipment.