Modified atmosphere packaging and 1-methylcyclopropene alleviate chilling injury of ‘Youhou’ sweet persimmon during cold storage

•1-MCP and MAP+1-MCP treatments delayed and alleviated CI symptoms.•1-MCP, and MAP+1-MCP treatments inhibited chilling-induced membrane damage.•1-MCP, and MAP+1-MCP treatments suppressed PPO/POD activity.•MAP+1-MCP treatment markedly delayed proper solubilization of pectin.•1-MCP, and MAP+1-MCP treatment remained flesh cell intact. ‘Youhou’, one of the main varieties of sweet persimmon in China, produces fruit that softens easily after harvest. Low temperature can postpone the fruit-ripening process while causing chilling injury (CI) due to susceptibility to cold. In this study, we investigated the effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and combined modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and 1-MCP treatments on the CI of ‘Youhou’ sweet persimmon during storage at 1 °C. Flesh browning and gelling were inhibited by 1-MCP treatment, as indicated by the suppression of polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities and enhanced pectin solubility. After treatment, the fruits maintained good membrane status and showed lower lipoxygenase activity, less electrolyte leakage and a lower malondialdehyde content than the control fruits. When MAP was added, dramatic changes in the oxygen and carbon dioxide proportions were detected in the packaging bag. This combined treatment was more effective than the 1-MCP treatment in alleviating CI.