Short wave infra-red radiation as an alternative to the hot water bath to control postharvest decay in mangos.
Saaiman W. C.
Author Affiliation: Merensky Technological Services, PO Box 14, Duivelskloof 0853, South Africa.
: 773-779
Abstract : The conventional method used to control postharvest diseases of mangoes is a postharvest hot water dip (5 minutes, 50°C), followed by a 20 second ambient temperature prochloraz dip. This treatment is time consuming and represents a bottle neck in the packhouse. The effect of IR radiation was compared with the commercially treatment for control of postharvest diseases of mangoes. In 7 mango cultivars, 3 minute exposure to IR was as effective as the hot water treatment for the control of anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides [Glomerella cingulata]) and soft brown rot (Nattrassia mangiferae). There were no fruit quality differences between the treatments. The IR treatment was cheaper and faster than the hot water treatment.