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Volume 14
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10.3390/foods14172936
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Combined Effects of 1-MCP and Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Flavor Quality and Volatile Profile of Cold-Stored Strawberries Revealed by Untargeted GC-MS Analysis

by
Yukang Gu
1,
Minghui Xu
1,
Jun Liu
1,
Juan Kan
1,
Man Zhang
1,
Lixia Xiao
1,
Xiaodong Yang
2,
Xiaohua Qi
2 and
Chunlu Qian
1,*
1
Department of Food Science and Engineering, School of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, China
2
Department of Horticulture, College of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Foods 2025, 14(17), 2936; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14172936
Submission received: 15 July 2025 / Revised: 17 August 2025 / Accepted: 17 August 2025 / Published: 22 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Analysis of Flavors and Fragrances: Chemistry, Properties and Applications in Food Quality Improvement, 2nd Edition)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Strawberries are highly perishable despite their popularity, as their limited shelf life compromises both freshness and market value. The study investigated the effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), and their combined treatments on the quality and flavor of strawberries during cold storage and simulated shelf life. 1-MCP was applied by enclosing strawberry fruits in a hermetically sealed container and exposing them to 250 nL/L 1-MCP at 20 °C for 18 h. Three initial MAP gas compositions were tested: MAP1 (5% O2, 15% CO2, 80% N2), MAP2 (10% O2, 10% CO2, 80% N2), and MAP3 (15% O2, 5% CO2, 80% N2), with MAP1 identified as optimal based on strawberry postharvest quality metrics. The results showed that all treatments could inhibit the deterioration of strawberry quality, and the 1-MCP + MAP treatment had the best fresh-keeping effect. Untargeted Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified 85 volatile compounds, and sensory correlation analysis revealed that 1-MCP + MAP-treated strawberries maintained the highest consumer acceptability, with odor characteristics closely resembling those of pre-storage controls. Further studies demonstrated that the combined treatment uniquely suppressed the generation of fatty acid oxidation-derived volatiles while stabilizing critical aroma-active esters, thereby decelerating flavor degradation. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of 1-MCP + MAP as a postharvest strategy to delay the postharvest senescence of strawberries and maintain their storage quality. GC-MS provided a scientific method for the flavor quality evaluation of this preservation technology.
Keywords: relative odor activity value; enzyme activities; sensory acceptability; key characteristic aroma compounds relative odor activity value; enzyme activities; sensory acceptability; key characteristic aroma compounds

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Gu, Y.; Xu, M.; Liu, J.; Kan, J.; Zhang, M.; Xiao, L.; Yang, X.; Qi, X.; Qian, C. Combined Effects of 1-MCP and Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Flavor Quality and Volatile Profile of Cold-Stored Strawberries Revealed by Untargeted GC-MS Analysis. Foods 2025, 14, 2936. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14172936

AMA Style

Gu Y, Xu M, Liu J, Kan J, Zhang M, Xiao L, Yang X, Qi X, Qian C. Combined Effects of 1-MCP and Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Flavor Quality and Volatile Profile of Cold-Stored Strawberries Revealed by Untargeted GC-MS Analysis. Foods. 2025; 14(17):2936. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14172936

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gu, Yukang, Minghui Xu, Jun Liu, Juan Kan, Man Zhang, Lixia Xiao, Xiaodong Yang, Xiaohua Qi, and Chunlu Qian. 2025. "Combined Effects of 1-MCP and Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Flavor Quality and Volatile Profile of Cold-Stored Strawberries Revealed by Untargeted GC-MS Analysis" Foods 14, no. 17: 2936. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14172936

APA Style

Gu, Y., Xu, M., Liu, J., Kan, J., Zhang, M., Xiao, L., Yang, X., Qi, X., & Qian, C. (2025). Combined Effects of 1-MCP and Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Flavor Quality and Volatile Profile of Cold-Stored Strawberries Revealed by Untargeted GC-MS Analysis. Foods, 14(17), 2936. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14172936

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