Effects of preharvest and postharvest 1-methylcyclopropene treatments on fruit quality attributes and cell wall metabolism during short-term cold storage in ‘hetsalhaunkeybee’ peaches

We evaluated the effects of preharvest 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP; Harvista™) or postharvest 1-MCP (SmartFresh™) treatments on the physiological and biochemical responses of fruit quality attributes and enzymatic activities of cell wall hydrolases of ‘HetsalHaunkeybee’ peaches. The fruit were treated with either Harvista™ via spraying 1 week before the harvest (preharvest treatment), or SmartFresh™ via fumigation immediately after the harvest (postharvest treatment). Then, fruits were stored at 10°C for up to 12 days. Flesh firmness of the fruit was significantly enhanced by postharvest treatment with SmartFresh™, but not by the preharvest treatment with Harvista™. Neither Harvista™ nor SmartFresh™ altered the soluble solids content, titratable acidity, or the peel color variables during cold storage. However, the SmartFresh™ treatment significantly reduced the enzymatic activities of α-galactosidase, β-galactosidase, β-glucosidase, β-arabinosidase, β-xylosidase, and α-mannosidase during cold storage, compared to the untreated fruit and the Harvista™-treated fruit. Overall, the results suggest that postharvest SmartFresh™ treatment should be an effective method for peach fruit storage, and it enhances fruit quality by reducing the enzymatic activities related to cell wall hydrolysis and softening.