1-MCP (1-methylcyclopropene) is a simple synthetic hydrocarbon molecule that interacts with the ethylene receptor and inhibits the response of fruit or plant to ethylene. 1-MCP has opened new opportunities in handling harvested crops and serves as a powerful tool to learn about plant response to ethylene (Watkins and Miller, 2006). 1-MCP is manufactured by Agrofresh and known by its commercial name SmartfreshSM.
Application of 1-MCP can serve as a powerful tool to examine the response of the plant to ethylene. The commercial production of 1-MCP by Agrofresh allows simple practice of this treatment, especially postharvest. The application of 1-MCP to plants, fruit or vegetable was mentioned in many articles but was not described in detail. This was the motivation to provide the following protocol. In this protocol tomatoes served as candidates for the treatment.
Weighing papers for the 1-MCP powder (Whatman, catalog number: 28414662 )
Freshly harvested tomatoes (any type and origin)
1-MCP powder (Agrofresh Inc.) containing 0.14% 1-MCP as active ingredient
Tap water
Equipment
30 L airtight HDPE plastic barrel wide mouth and cover with lid equipped with flexible latex hose or rubber septa (Chen Samuel chemicals, catalog number: 0100230 )
Brand volumetric flask 1,000 ml (Sigma-Aldrich, catalog number: Z326828 )
Benchtop weight scales with 0.01 g resolution (Vibra, catalog number: AJ-3200CE )
Dan, G., Martin, G., Yosi, S., Dario, B. and Asaph, A. (2017). 1-MCP (1-methylcyclopropene) Treatment Protocol for Fruit or Vegetables. Bio-protocol 7(10): e2278. DOI: 10.21769/BioProtoc.2278.