The effect of 1-methylcyclopropene treatment on shallot physiological process and qeight loss

Fresh-handling treatment using 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) has been proven effective in controlling respiration process of various horticultural commodities, helping to extend shelf-life for storage and transportation purpose. The effect of 1-MCP treatment on shallot (A llium ascalonicum L. ) had yet been studied. It was expected to delay maturity, prevent negative effects of ethylene, and inhibit senescence by blocking ethylene receptor. The objective of this research was to study the effects of 1-MCP on the physiological process and weight loss of shallot. The research was preceded by the determination of 1-MCP dosage, i.e. 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 g. The best dosage was then used in the 1-MCP treatment on shallot. The duration of treatment was 0, 6, 18, 30, and 42 hours. Observation of physiological process was done to respiration rate (CO2) and ethylene production rate. Weight loss was also observed. The best dosage of 1-MCP was 2.5g with the content of 437.78 ppm. On the main experiment, 18 hours of treatment had the lowest but statistically the same respiration rate compared to other duration, and statistically different with the shallot without treatment. For ethylene production rate, 18 hours of treatment had the best effect and statistically different with the ones without treatment. Shallot with different treatments also showed insignificant different on weight loss, but were significantly different with shallot without treatment. Without treatment, the quality of shallot was dropped after 70 days of storage, while all the quality of treated shallot was maintained up to 84 days. It was concluded that 1-MCP treatment was effective in controlling respiration rate and ethylene production rate. However, different duration of 1-MCP treatment had not showed different effects on shallot physiological process and weight loss.