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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Wenatchee, Washington » Physiology and Pathology of Tree Fruits Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #272306

Title: Influence of postharvest conditions on the metabolite profile of deciduous tree fruits

Author
item Mattheis, James
item Rudell, David

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/15/2011
Publication Date: 10/9/2011
Citation: Mattheis, J.P., Rudell Jr, D.R. 2011. Influence of Postharvest Conditions on the Metabolite Profile of Deciduous Tree Fruits. Meeting Abstract. N/A.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Market life of apples and pears is extended after harvest by holding fruit in cold storage often in controlled atmosphere rooms where O2 and CO2 concentrations are managed. While temperature management directly impacts metabolic rate resulting in slowed respiration and other metabolic processes, atmosphere management contributes to further reductions in ethylene production and action, processes critical for promoting ripening of these climacteric fruits. Chemical inhibition of ethylene action via 1-methylcyclopropene rapidly alters climacteric fruit metabolism in a manner similar to that induced over a longer time period by controlled atmospheres. All of these postharvest technologies alter primary and secondary metabolism resulting in changed profiles of many compounds including alcohols, aldehydes, amino acids, carbohydrates, esters, membrane components, pigments and others. Of particular importance to both cosmetic and edible aspects of fruit quality, controlled atmospheres and 1-MCP influence development of market limiting physiological disorders of both peel and cortex tissues. The potential for exploiting identification of metabolic patterns related to disorder development is the objective of ongoing research to enable disorder prediction prior to symptom development and to differentiate disorders with similar appearance to assist in forensic analysis.