Strawberry cv. Everest fruit were treated with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) at various concentrations from 0 to
1000 nl/l for 2 h at 20 °C. They were then kept individually in closed but vented containers for 3 days in the dark
at 20 °C and 95–100% relative humidity. 1-MCP treatment tended to maintain strawberry fruit firmness and colour.
However, disease development was accelerated in fruit treated at high (500 and 1000 nl/l) 1-MCP concentrations.
1-MCP treatment also lowered ethylene production. Treatment with 1-MCP inhibited phenylalanine ammmonia-lyase
(PAL) activity, and lowered increases in anthocyanin and phenolic contents. Comparatively low levels of phenolics in
fruit treated at the highest 1-MCP concentration (1000 nl/l) could account for decreased disease resistance of these
fruit. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.