Effect of 1-methylcyclopropene, potassium permanganate and silica gel on quality of cantaloupe fruits and carrot roots during mixed load

Abstract: This study was carried out during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, to study the effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), potassium permanganate (KMnO₄), silica gel, 1-MCP + silica gel and KMnO₄ + silica gel compared with control treatment on physical and chemical changes which may occur during mixed load of cantaloupe fruits cv. Primal Galia type and carrot roots cv. Laguna throughout storage at 5°C and 90-95 % relative humidity for 28 days. The results indicated that all treatments were superior to control treatment in maintaining quality attributes and extending the storability of fruits and roots. However, KMnO₄ + silica gel was the most effective treatment in reducing weight loss, color change, O₂ consumption, CO₂ and ethylene production and maintaining the firmness and total soluble solids of fruits and roots. In addition, delaying the ripening of cantaloupe fruits, reducing the increase of total carotenoid content of fruits, reducing isocoumarin accumulation and gave carrot roots without any bitterness until the end of the storage period. Also, gave an excellent appearance and did not exhibit any changes in the appearance of fruits and roots until the end of the storage period. On the other hand, control treatment gave an unsalable appearance of fruits and roots at the end of storage.