Scientific classification of ripening period and development of colour grade chart for Indian mangoes (Mangifera indica L.) using multivariate cluster analysis.
Nambi V. E., Thangavel K., Jesudas D. M.
Author Affiliation: Central Institute of Post harvest Engineering and Technology, Punjab, India.
Scientia Horticulturae 193 : 90-98
Abstract : The available colour charts are purely based on external appearance, internal and external quality parameters were not considered and no scientific methodology were employed for classification. This paper describes the study carried out to classify the ripening period of mango into different stages and to develop a colour grade chart for Indian mangoes. The physico-chemical properties, external and internal colour values and textural characteristics were measured throughout the ripening period of two Indian mango varieties viz. Alphonso and Banganapalli. PCA along with Hierarchical clustering method were used and the ripening period of mango fruits was classified into five stages viz. unripe, early ripe, partially ripe, ripe and over ripe. Based on these stages, a colour grade chart was developed along with physico-chemical, textural and colour values for both varieties. The developed colour chart can be used as a useful rapid, non-destructive grading tool at mango pack houses and processing industries.