1-methylcyclopropene keeps fruits vegetables and flowers fresh

In daily life, we often marvel at the fruits and vegetables in supermarkets. They not only look bright but also have a long shelf life. Unlike the fruits and vegetables we just pick from the fields, they wilt and rot shortly after. The mystery behind this is largely attributed to a miraculous preservative – 1-methylcyclopropene.

What is 1-methylcyclopropene CAS 3100-04-7?

1-methylcyclopropene CAS 3100-04-7, also known as 1-MCP, has the chemical formula C4H6 and a molecular weight of 54.09. At normal temperature and pressure, it is a colorless gas, odorless and non-toxic, with a density of approximately 0.838g/cm³. It belongs to the cyclopropene class of compounds. Despite its small molecular structure, its properties are very active and it plays an important role in the field of preservation.

The magical effect of 1-MCP CAS 3100-04-7 in the field of preservation mainly stems from its role as a plant growth regulator, which can precisely inhibit the action of ethylene. Ethylene, as a plant hormone, plays a crucial role in the growth, development, maturation and senescence of plants, promoting the rapid ripening, aging and rotting of fruits and vegetables. The emergence of 1-mcp CAS 3100-04-7 inhibited this process. Its molecular structure is extremely similar to that of ethylene, which enables it to bind tightly to ethylene receptors in advance, and this binding is irreversible. Thus, it effectively blocks the transmission of ethylene signals, inhibits a series of physiological and biochemical reactions related to fruit ripening, greatly delays the ripening and aging process of fruits and vegetables, and achieves the purpose of extending the preservation period. From a microscopic perspective, after 1-MCP CAS 3100-04-7 binds to the ethylene receptor, it will cause a chain reaction on various physiological activities within the cell. It can affect the permeability of cell membranes, regulate the activity of related enzymes, and change the expression of genes, thereby comprehensively inhibiting the ripening and senescence process of fruits

Not only fruits, but 1-methylcyclopropene also has an excellent preservative effect on vegetables and flowers. The stomata on spinach leaves are densely distributed, making them highly susceptible to infection by spoilage bacteria. Even after harvest, they still have a strong respiratory rate and transpiration. During normal temperature storage and transportation, they are prone to water loss, imbalance in reactive oxygen species metabolism, wilting and softening, with a high rate of rotting and yellowing, which seriously affects their commercial value. Spinach treated with 1-methylcyclopropene has a significantly prolonged shelf life at room temperature. The leaves can remain emerald green and upright, and the nutritional components can also be well retained. 1-methylcyclopropene can also prolong the flowering period of flowers, making them bloom for a longer time and adding more beauty and fragrance to our lives.

When using 1-methylcyclopropene, safety is the most concerning issue for everyone. It is actually non-toxic, which means that under normal use, it causes almost no harm to the human body and the environment. In practical applications, 1-methylcyclopropene is mainly treated by fumigation. When in use, simply make the concentration of 1-MCP in the air reach 1ppm (parts per million), and it can achieve a good preservation effect. Moreover, its usage method is relatively simple. It is applicable to both large-scale storage preservation and small-scale packaging preservation of fruits and vegetables.

With the rapid development of cold chain logistics and the continuous improvement of people’s requirements for the quality and freshness of agricultural products, 1-methylcyclopropene, as an efficient and safe preservative, will have a broader market application prospect. Unilong is a professional 1-methylcyclopropene suppliers, can provide high-quality and pure 1-methylcyclopropene. If you need it, please contact us and we will offer you the most favorable price as soon as possible.