Effect of 1-MCP on malic enzyme activity and ethylene production in mango during ripening

1-methylcyclopropene is a novel, magic gas that has proven itself to be non-toxic and odourless inhibitor of ethylene in wide range of fruits and vegetables. The effect of 1-MCP on malic enzyme, a marker enzyme, during ripening in climacteric fruits like mango, was studied. Malic enzyme activity was found to be completely inhibited for 8 days after 1-MCP treatment, the period for which endogenous ethylene evolution was also checked. Malic enzyme activity appeared after 8 days when 1-MCP lost its control to inhibit endogenous ethylene and autocatalytic evolution started, triggering cascade of biochemical changes leading to ripening in mango cv. Amrapali. 1-MCP was found to be effective for 8 days in delaying fruit ripening in mango, suggesting the role of endogenous ethylene in regulating malic enzyme activity during ripening.