The effect of ethylene absorbent treatment on the softening of blueberry fruit.

The potential of ethylene absorbent (EA) to delay softening of 'Lanfeng' blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) fruit in conjunction with cold storage was evaluated. The fruit quality was evaluated after 60 days of storage at 0 °C again kept at 20 °C, with or without EA. Changes in quality attributes and ethylene biosynthesis and fruit softening indicators were assessed. The results indicated that EA treatment inhibited fruit softening, reduced weight loss and decay, and prevented the loss of total phenolic content. It also decreased the fruit ethylene production by inhibiting 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase and 1-aminocyclopropane-1- carboxylic acid synthase activities, whilst maintaining firmness by hampering cell wall-degrading enzyme activities, especially after more than 30 days of cold storage. In conclusion, EA treatment can inhibit the softening of harvested blueberry fruit during storage at 0 °C and shelf life after cold storage. After being refrigerated for more than 30 days at 0 °C, the EA has a good effect on blueberries storage.