1-Methylcyclopropene
Encyclopedia
1-Methylcyclopropene is a cyclopropene
derivative used as a synthetic plant growth regulator. It is structurally related to the natural plant hormone ethylene
and it is used commercially to slow down the ripening of fruit and to help maintain the freshness of cut flowers.
with the molecular formula C4H6. It is a volatile gas at standard temperature and pressure with a boiling point of ~12 °C.
Methylcyclopropene can refer to either of two isomers, 1-methylcyclopropene covered in this article, or 3-methylcyclopropene which is not covered in this article. 2-methylcyclopropene would be an incorrect name for 1-methylcyclopropene. Also note: methylcyclopropane is yet a different chemical compound
, which is a cycloalkane
with the formula C4H8.
fruit, the opening of flowers, and the shedding of leaves. The mechanism of action
of 1-MCP involves its tightly binding to the ethylene receptor in plants, thereby blocking the effects of ethylene.
Under the brand name EthylBloc, 1-MCP was approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use on ornamental crops. It is used with cut flowers, potted flowers, and bedding, nursery and foliage plants to prevent premature wilting, leaf yellowing, premature opening, and premature death.
Under the brand name SmartFresh
, 1-MCP is used in the agriculture industry by growers, packers, and shippers to maintain the quality of fruits and vegetables by preventing or delaying the natural ripening process. The use of 1-MCP in agricultural products including apples, kiwifruit, tomatoes, bananas, plums, persimmons, avocados and melons has been approved and accepted for use in more than 34 countries including the European Union and the United States. Although there are benefits to the consumer, including fresher produce and lower cost, there is some concern that consumers may be purchasing fruit that is older than expected.
1-MCP is also being developed as a new crop protection
technique. By spraying 1-MCP on growing field crops during times of stress, the crops may be protected from moderate heat and drought conditions.
Cyclopropene
Cyclopropene is an organic compound with the formula 34. It is the simplest isolable cycloalkene. It has a triangular structure. Because the ring is highly strained, cyclopropene is both difficult to prepare and interesting to study. Like cyclopropane, the carbon ring of cyclopropene is planar...
derivative used as a synthetic plant growth regulator. It is structurally related to the natural plant hormone ethylene
Ethylene
Ethylene is a gaseous organic compound with the formula . It is the simplest alkene . Because it contains a carbon-carbon double bond, ethylene is classified as an unsaturated hydrocarbon. Ethylene is widely used in industry and is also a plant hormone...
and it is used commercially to slow down the ripening of fruit and to help maintain the freshness of cut flowers.
Chemical properties
1-MCP is a cycloalkeneCycloalkene
A cycloalkene or cycloolefin is a type of alkene hydrocarbon which contains a closed ring of carbon atoms, but has no aromatic character. Some cycloalkenes, such as cyclobutene and cyclopentene, can be used as monomers to produce polymer chains. Unless the rings are very large, cycloalkenes are...
with the molecular formula C4H6. It is a volatile gas at standard temperature and pressure with a boiling point of ~12 °C.
Methylcyclopropene can refer to either of two isomers, 1-methylcyclopropene covered in this article, or 3-methylcyclopropene which is not covered in this article. 2-methylcyclopropene would be an incorrect name for 1-methylcyclopropene. Also note: methylcyclopropane is yet a different chemical compound
Chemical compound
A chemical compound is a pure chemical substance consisting of two or more different chemical elements that can be separated into simpler substances by chemical reactions. Chemical compounds have a unique and defined chemical structure; they consist of a fixed ratio of atoms that are held together...
, which is a cycloalkane
Cycloalkane
Cycloalkanes are types of alkanes that have one or more rings of carbon atoms in the chemical structure of their molecules. Alkanes are types of organic hydrocarbon compounds that have only single chemical bonds in their chemical structure...
with the formula C4H8.
Mechanism of action
Ethylene exists as a gas and it acts at trace levels throughout the life of a plant by stimulating or regulating various processes such as the ripening of climactericClimacteric (botany)
The climacteric is a stage of fruit ripening associated with ethylene production and cell respiration rise. Apples, bananas, melons, apricots, tomatoes are climacteric fruit. Citrus, grapes, strawberries are non-climacteric...
fruit, the opening of flowers, and the shedding of leaves. The mechanism of action
Mechanism of action
In pharmacology, the term mechanism of action refers to the specific biochemical interaction through which a drug substance produces its pharmacological effect...
of 1-MCP involves its tightly binding to the ethylene receptor in plants, thereby blocking the effects of ethylene.
Commercial use
There are two principal commercial uses of 1-MCP: maintaining the freshness of ornamental plants and flowers, and preventing the ripening of fruits. In each case, 1-MCP is combined with other materials for handling and then mixed with a specific amount of water or other solution to release it into the air. It is used in enclosed indoor sites, such as coolers, truck trailers, greenhouses, storage facilities, and shipping containers.Under the brand name EthylBloc, 1-MCP was approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use on ornamental crops. It is used with cut flowers, potted flowers, and bedding, nursery and foliage plants to prevent premature wilting, leaf yellowing, premature opening, and premature death.
Under the brand name SmartFresh
SmartFresh
SmartFresh is a brand of a synthetic produce quality enhancer based on 1-methylcyclopropene . It is marketed by AgroFresh Inc.-Function:...
, 1-MCP is used in the agriculture industry by growers, packers, and shippers to maintain the quality of fruits and vegetables by preventing or delaying the natural ripening process. The use of 1-MCP in agricultural products including apples, kiwifruit, tomatoes, bananas, plums, persimmons, avocados and melons has been approved and accepted for use in more than 34 countries including the European Union and the United States. Although there are benefits to the consumer, including fresher produce and lower cost, there is some concern that consumers may be purchasing fruit that is older than expected.
1-MCP is also being developed as a new crop protection
Crop protection
Crop protection is the branch of horticulture concerned with protecting crops from pests, weeds, disease and theft.It encompasses:* Pesticide-based approaches such as herbicides, insecticides and fungicides...
technique. By spraying 1-MCP on growing field crops during times of stress, the crops may be protected from moderate heat and drought conditions.