Postharvest Quality Maintenance of ‘Gampung’ Persimmon Fruit using Modified Atmosphere Packaging, 1-Methylcyclopropene, and an Ethylene Absorbent under Simulated Marketing Conditions

The effects of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), and an ethylene absorbent (EA) on the postharvest quality of 'Gampung' sweet persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.)fruits were evaluated under simulated marketing conditions.Fruits were treated with MAP, MAP + EA, or 1-MCP + MAP + EA and stored either at 20°C for 15 days under shelf life conditions or at 0°C for ten days under cold storage conditions, followed by a 9-day shelf life period at 20°C.Compared with the control, all three MAP-based treatments maintained lower O 2 and higher CO 2 concentrations surrounding the fruit while also maintaining relative humidity at approximately 99% throughout storage.Under both storage conditions, control fruits exhibited rapid weight loss, progressive softening, and marked peel color changes, accompanied by increased expression of genes associated with ethylene biosynthesis, ethylene signaling, and cell wall modification.In contrast, the MAP-based treatments effectively suppressed the expression of these genes, thereby reducing weight loss, delaying firmness loss, and minimizing peel color changes, although the magnitude of these effects varied among the treatments.Overall, the 1-MCP + MAP + EA treatment proved to be the most effective postharvest strategy for maintaining the quality of 'Gampung' persimmon fruits throughout the simulated marketing period.