Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is globally the most important oil crop. Free
fatty acids (FFA) are released naturally in crude palm oil by the action of specific
enzymes, the lipases, within the palm fruit. During storage, FFA is also produced by the
reactions of oil with water. For trading purposes, the Palm Oil Refiners Association of
Malaysia standard specifies a 5% maximum for the FFA content (as palmitic acid) in
crude palm oil; off-specification product is not of value. The FFA have a strong negative
impact on oil quality (Ohlson, 1976). Oxidation of FFA results in rancidity and loss of
quality (Sambanthamurthi et al., 2000). Therefore, the oil-palm fruit bunches are heated
immediately after harvest to inactivate the lipases, and to avoid an unacceptable level of
FFA in the oil (Che Man et al., 1999). Due to its effectiveness 1-methylcyclopropene or
1-MCP, a gaseous compound that binds irreversibly to ethylene receptors and thereby
prevents ethylene-dependent response, is used widely to delay the ripening and to
maintain the quality of numerous commodities (Blankenship and Dole, 2003; Watkins,
2008). However, most of its practiced applications are in fruits and vegetables