Combined Effect of Potassium Permanganate and Ultraviolet Light as Ethylene Scavengers on Post-Harvest Quality of Peach at Optimal and Stressful Temperatures

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the combination of two ethylene removal methods and temperature on the post-harvest quality of peaches. For this purpose, filters with potassium permanganate (KMnO4) and lamps emitting ultraviolet light (UV) were mounted on machines which enabled air movement in the conservation chambers, facilitating the removal of ethylene by KMnO4 and photocatalysis simultaneously. This system was used at two temperatures, 1 °C and 25 °C, simulating an ideal storage temperature in industry and extreme temperature to observe faster ripening, respectively. The results obtained showed that this combination of ethylene scavengers favoured the efficient elimination of this gas. Consequently, the use of this innovative technique made possible a better preservation of fruit firmness, colour, soluble solids content, pH, total acidity, and maturity index. Moreover, using this method in peaches subjected to 25 °C increased their survival by seven days more than those without this system, indicating the effectiveness of ethylene scavengers even under these extreme temperatures.