Reduction of postharvest rotting with an ethylene absorbent: a case study with pineapple

Peduncle mould caused by Penicillium sp. in export pineapple is a major postharvest problem in Costa Rica and causes significant economic losses. The accumulation of ethylene in the cooling rooms and transport containers may be a risk factor for fungal growth. Ethylene exposure has been shown to enhance fungal development in other non-climacteric fruit such as strawberry and citrus. This paper assessed the use of a potassium permanganate ethylene absorbent (Bi-On®, Bioconservacion SA, Spain) in reducing rotting of waxed and unwaxed 'Gold Extra Sweet' pineapple held under export conditions of 25 days at 7.5°C and 85-90% RH with and without aerobic inoculation with Penicillium inoculation. The obtained results show that the inclusion of the potassium permanganate absorbent into the storage room significantly reduced (p