Growth and ripening regulator in fruits and vegetables
Monika Dust, Eurofins SOFIA GmbH, Germany
The worldwide trade of plants and other fresh products is a challenge for food traders as the goods must always be fresh in spite of the long distances transported and long transport times.
1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) is a plant growth and ripening regulator. It acts as an inhibitor of ethylene by blocking the receptor of ethylene in the tissues of plants, flowers, fruit and vegetables, thus preventing the ripening process. According to reports, the toxicological relevance of 1-MCP does not appear to be an issue. However, consumers have the right to be fully informed about foreign substances on their fruits and vegetables. As an example, 1-MCP is used in the SmartFreshTM system, which is registered in 38 countries and commercialised on apples, kiwifruit, plums, pears and persimmons, tomatoes, melon, avocado and banana.
In Germany the use of 1-MCP is only allowed for apples. The analysis of 1-MCP has not been possible so far, because no analytical standards were available for sale. Eurofins has now implemented an optimised GC-MS measurement to give a limit of quantification of 0.005 mg/kg for 1-MCP in fresh products. The method has currently been validated for apples, bananas and tomatoes. Further matrices will be implemented on request.
Contact: MonikaDust@eurofins.de