Quality and conservation of mango cv. 'Tommy Atkins' as affected by maturity stage and storage temperature.
Morais P. L. D. de, Assis J. S. de
Author Affiliation: Embrapa Semi-Árido, C.P. 23, BR 428, km 152, 56300-970, Petrolina, PE, Brazil.
: 639-643
Abstract : An experiment was carried out to study the effect of maturity stage and storage temperature on postharvest life of mango cv. Tommy Atkins fruits, harvested from a commercial orchard in Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil, at stages 2 and 3 according to shape and colour. Pulp colour, firmness, total soluble solids (TSS), total titratable acidity (TTA) and TSS/TTA ratio were evaluated. Fruits were submitted to postharvest treatment required for export and stored at 6, 7 and 8°C and 67±5% relative humidity (RH). Samples were taken for quality analysis after 18 days. The remaining fruits were stored at room temperature for 3 days and then analysed the same way. Fruits harvested at stage 3 can be stored for 18 days at 8°C and 67±5% RH, had the best quality during ripening at room temperature and did not show any symptom of chilling injury. Fruits picked at stage 2 were highly cold-sensitive; the level of symptom expression decreased with increasing storage temperature.