Sometimes size matters! Fruit size in combination with 1-MCP influence kiwifruit postharvest quality

Abstract

Kiwifruit is one of the new species that was incorporated recently to the tree fruit culture in the world. Its nutritional qualities, that include high content of ascorbic acid (AsA), tocopherols and other antioxidants, make it attractive for consumers. Fruit size is an important issue when fruit must be considered, because it defines the fruit price. The aim of this work was to evaluate the postharvest life of two different fruit sizes: small and large fruits, combined with the ethylene inhibitor, 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) under long storage at 3 ºC. Large fruits displayed an earlier respiration peak than small fruits, showing two months of difference. After four months from harvest, the amount of AsA in small fruits was higher than that of large fruit, independently from the 1-MCP treatment. On the other side, the application of 1-MCP delayed the loss of firmness in small and large fruit but did not affect other quality parameters of fruit. This report shows that different fruit sizes should be separated at harvest time and sell it at different shelf-life moments.