The cold storage life of 'Dashehari' mangoes.
Mann S. S., Singh R. N.
Author Affiliation: Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India.
Scientia Horticulturae 5 : 249-253
Abstract : Mango fruits, cv. Dashehari, were picked on 23 June (when lettuce-green) or 3 July (light yellow) and either dipped in cold water for 1 min or held at room temperature for 2 or 4 days (to simulate transport) before being stored at 7.2-7.9 deg C and 85-90% RH. Controls had no pre-treatment before storage. Fruit stored satisfactorily for 25-35 days, even after 4 days at room temperature, without any appreciable loss in quality. As the storage duration increased the percentage loss in weight rose, regardless of treatment. However, this loss was less for pre-cooled and control fruit than for fruit held at room temperature. The earlier picked fruit lost more weight in the first 15 days of storage, but less after 25 or 35 days, than later picked fruit. The loss from spoilage increased with storage duration, being greater for later picked fruit. Ascorbic acid content, which diminished with increasing storage time, was higher in earlier than in later picked fruit. Carotenoid levels were lower in pre-cooled fruit and in the earlier picked fruit, and also fell during storage.