Regulation by ethylene of carotenoid biosynthesis in fruits of two contrasted apricot varieties
Abstract
Ethylene was considered to have a direct regulatory role in the ripening process and in the post-harvest life of the fruits (Lelièvre et al., 1997). To evaluate the effect of ethylene on apricot fruit changes during maturation and postharvest period, their ethylene autocatalysis was modified by the use of both exogenous ethylene and 1-methylcyclopropene (MCP), a chemical inhibitor of ethylene (Porat et al, 1995). This experiment was performed on two contrasted apricot varieties and the carotene fruit composition was particularly studied.