Effect of 1-pentylcyclopropene on Physiological Responses and Gene Expression of Ethylene Receptors in Post-Harvest Bananas

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of 1-pentylcyclopropene (1-PentCP), a structural analogue of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), on postharvest ripening and senescence of bananas fruit (Musa acuminata L. AAA group cv. Brazil). The results showed that 1-PentCP was effective in postponing the occurrence time of ethylene production peak and respiration rate peak, delaying the softening and color change, inhibiting the increasing of soluble solids, soluble sugar, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate acid (ACC) content; inhibiting the activities of ACC synthase (ACS) and ACC oxidase (ACO); and suppressing the expression of MaERS1 and MaERF1 in bananas. In addition, 1.2 μL/L 1-PentCP was found to be most effective in delaying ripening and senescence process of bananas by inhibiting the activities of enzymes involved in ethylene biosynthesis and gene expression of ethylene receptors. It is suggested that 1-PentCP could be a promising candidates for practical use as a given ethylene inhibitor applied before the onset of ethylene action.

Key Words:

• banana
• 1-pentylcyclopropene (1-PentCP)
• ethylene receptor
• gene expression
• RT-PCR

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are grateful to the Nematology Institute of Northern China.

FUNDING

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 30972064), the Major Project of Liaoning Provincial Science and Technology Foundation (Grant No. 2008205001), the Top Talent Fund of Shenyang Agricultural University (Grant No. SYAU20090107) and the “Twelfth Five-Year” National Science and Technology Support Project (Grant No. 2012BAD381301).