Summary
This study examined how 1-MCP (an ethylene receptor antagonist) affects sensory quality in cherry tomatoes after extended storage. Fruits harvested at light-red maturity and treated with 1-MCP maintained firmness and colour comparable to freshly harvested fruit; however, fruits harvested at earlier (pink) stages showed reduced sensory quality and consumer acceptance, primarily owing to elevated sourness and diminished sweetness despite better physical preservation.
Regional applicability
The study was conducted under controlled greenhouse conditions in rockwool production and may have limited direct applicability to United Kingdom field-grown tomato systems. However, 1-MCP is already in horticultural use and the findings on harvest maturity stage interactions with post-harvest treatment are relevant to UK retail and export quality standards for stored tomatoes.
Key measures
Twelve sensory descriptors (smell, taste, flavour, texture); firmness; colour retention; consumer liking scores; sweetness and sourness intensity
Outcomes reported
The study evaluated sensory characteristics of cherry tomatoes treated with 1-MCP (ethylene receptor blocker) after 4-week storage using quantitative descriptive analysis and consumer acceptance testing. Results showed that 1-MCP treatment was effective in maintaining firmness and colour, but overall sensory quality varied by harvest maturity stage.
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