Combination of 1-MCP and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) maintains banana fruit quality under high temperature storage by improving antioxidant system and cell wall structure

Green-ripe disorder often occurs when banana fruit (Musa AAA group) ripen at high temperature above 25 °C. In this study, the effect of modified atmosphere package (MAP) + 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment on the shelf-life quality of banana after high temperature storage was studied. The results showed that 300 nL L-1 1-MCP treatment combined with MAP could prevent the occurrence of green-ripe disorder in banana stored at high temperature, reduce ethylene production and respiration, then delay senescence and ripening, and reduce disease incidence and finger drop of fruit. Further analysis showed that the combined treatment decreased the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and enhanced the activity of defense-related enzymes and antioxidants. By inhibiting the activity of cell-degrading enzymes, the treatment increased lignin and cellulose content and maintained cell wall integrity. In addition, the treatment regulated the contents of endogenous hormones indole-3-acetic acid and abscisic acid, thus delaying the softening of fruit. This work provides a theoretical foundation for the storage and transportation of banana fruit at high temperature.