Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch. cv. Pajaro) fruit were fumigated with nitric oxide immediately after harvest.
Fumigation was performed in an anaerobic nitrogen atmosphere for up to 2 h at 20°C at nitric oxide concentrations
from 1.0 to 4000 ml l−1 then held at 20 and 5°C in air containing 0.1 ml l−1 ethylene, a concentration prevalent in
ambient air at fruit and vegetable markets. Treatment at both temperatures extended the postharvest life of
strawberries, the most pronounced effect being obtained with nitric oxide in the concentration range 5–10 ml l−1
which produced 50% extension in shelf life. The possibility of commercial application is discussed. © 2000 Elsevier
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