The effects of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment in a plastic-lined corrugated cardboard box prepared for MA packaging (MA box) on the shelf life of Japanese pears and apples were investigated. The half periods of 1-MCP concentration in an MA box sealed by using adhesive sealing tape applied on the center seam of the top and bottom (single-strip closure) or all edges of the flaps (six-strip closure) were estimated to be 5.23 h and 9.06 h, respectively. 'Kosui' and 'Shinsei' Japanese pears and 'Orin' apples were exposed to 1-MCP at initial concentrations of 0, 1 and 2 μℓ・ℓ－1 for 24 h in an MA box sealed by either of two methods, i.e., single-strip closure or six-strip closure. The treated fruits were then stored at 20℃ in an open MA box for 2 weeks for 'Kosui', 3 weeks for 'Shinsei' and 6 weeks for 'Orin'. The qualities of the fruits treated with 1-MCP in a sealed MA box were almost equivalent to those of the fruits treated with 1-MCP in a gas-tight container for all cultivars after storage, regardless of 1-MCP concentration and the sealing method used. Storage in an MA box without 1-MCP treatment was ineffective in improving the shelf life of Japanese pears and apples. 1-MCP treatment in an MA box is thought to be useful in the direct-to-consumer sales of Japanese pears and apples.
