Abstract

The phytohormone ethylene responds positively to abiotic stress, but its effect on quality deterioration of fresh-cut Chinese water chestnuts (CWCs) caused by mechanical damage remains unclear. Here, the effects of single or combination treatments of ethephon (ET) and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on fresh-cut CWCs during storage at 10 °C for 5 d were investigated. The results indicated that ET treatment was most effective in maintaining CWCs’ visual quality, followed by 1-MCP preceding ET treatment, 1-MCP treatment, and 1-MCP following ET treatment. Compared with 1-MCP treatment group, ET-treated fruit exhibited lower expressions of CwPAL , CwCHS1 and CwCHI1 and decreased activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity to inhibit flavonoid accumulation but higher catalase and superoxide dismutase and peroxidase (POD) activities and lower malonaldehyde content to maintain reactive oxygen species balance and suppress microbial growth . Nevertheless, ET treatment promoted fruit weight loss and CO 2 concentration in the package, which was reversed by the preceding 1-MCP application rather than the subsequent 1-MCP treatment. 1-MCP followed by ET treatment not only inhibited the levels of flavonoid compounds and oxidation catalyzed by POD compared with the post-1-MCP treatment, but also reduced H 2 O 2 production and microbial spoilage with a higher catalase activity. These results show that ET could maintain the quality of fresh-cut CWC by boosting antioxidant capacity , inhibiting microbial growth and suppressing enzymatic generation of browning substrates. In addition, compared with ET treatment, 1-MCP followed by ET treatment, despite showing weaker antioxidant enhancement, could inhibit the senescence of fresh-cut CWCs, suggesting its suitability for quality control of fresh-cut CWCs.