The isolated or combined effects of dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA) and 1-MCP on the chemical composition of cuticular wax and metabolism of ‘Maxi Gala’ apples after long-term storage

Abstract Apples have a continuous hydrophobic layer that covers the surface of the fruit, which is called the cuticle. The effects of 1-MCP on the cuticular wax layer of apples were reported after cold storage, although the interaction between 1-MCP and DCA is not yet known. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the effects of 1-MCP on the wax composition and metabolism of ‘Maxi Gala’ apples after storage in a controlled atmosphere (CA) and dynamic controlled atmosphere based on chlorophyll fluorescence (DCA-CF) and respiratory quotient (DCA-RQ; RQ = 1.3 and 1.5). The 1-MCP treatment effectively decreased ethylene production for CA and DCA-CF treatments, while DCA-RQ treatments produced no effect. The average extracted cuticular wax content of ‘Maxi Gala’ apples was 16.65 g m-2 and no differences in storage conditions or 1-MCP application were observed. Alkanes, alcohols, fatty acids, aldehydes, and terpenoids were identified in the chemical composition of the cuticular waxes, being alkanes and fatty acids the predominant ones. Moreover, 1-MCP decreased fatty acid and 10-nonacosanol concentrations in the fruit. Fruit with the 1-MCP application and stored in DCA had lower α-farnesene concentrations. The wax compositions of the DCA-stored apples with and without 1-MCP were similar. However, 1-MCP treatment resulted in a greater mass loss in fruits stored in DCA.