Responses of 'Kent' and 'Tommy Atkins' mangoes to reduced O2 and elevated CO2.
Bender R. J., Brecht J. K., Campbell C. A.
Author Affiliation: Horticultural Sciences Department, IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0690, USA.
Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society 107 : 274-277
Abstract : Marine shipment of mangoes to export markets requires a 2- to 3-week transit time. Mango tolerance of low O2 and high CO2 concentrations over this time period were evaluated in order to determine optimum controlled atmosphere conditions. Mature, unripe mangoes were stored for 21 days at 12°C in air or 25, 45, 50 or 70% CO2 plus either 3% or 20.8% O2 in N2 or the same CO2 concentrations mixed with air. The fruits were then transferred to air at 20° for 5 days. Among the different atmosphere conditions, 50% and 70% CO2 resulted in the highest ethanol production rates, while the 3% O2 concentration seemed to have little effect on ethanol production of either cultivar. Ethanol production rates ranged from 0.18 to 3.84 ml?kg-1h-1 at the end of the storage period. After transferring the mangoes from air at 12° to 20°, ethanol production rates in storage were low (0.1 µl?kg-1h-1) and increased significantly along with respiration rates. Symptoms of CO2 injury appeared in mangoes exposed to 50 and 70% CO2.