Modulation of Actinidia arguta fruit ripening by three ethylene biosynthesis inhibitors

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of postharvest application of 1-methylecyclopropene (1-MCP), 1-pentylcyclopropene (1-PentCP) and 1-octylcyclopropene (1-OCP), two structural analogues of 1-MCP, on Actinidia arguta (Siebold et Zucc.) Planch. ex. Miq. Fruit post-harvest ripening and antioxidant activity. The results showed that these two structural analogues, just as 1-MCP, exerted their effect in a concentration-dependent manner. The most effective concentration of 1-MCP, 1-PentCP or 1-OCP treatment was 1.2 μl L−1, 1.2 μl L−1 and 0.8 μl L−1, respectively. But, 0.8 μl L−1 1-OCP was found to be more potent in postponing the appearances of respiration rate peak and ethylene production peak, delaying the softening and weight loss, suppressing the activities of ACC synthase (ACS) and ACC oxidase (ACO), maintaining higher glutathione (GSH) content, activities of glutathione reductase (GR) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), though slightly inferior to 1.2 μl L−1 1-MCP.