Studies on effect of ethrel dip treatment on the ripening behaviour of mango (Mangifera indica L.) variety 'Neelum'.
Kulkarni S. G., Kudachikar V. B., Vasantha M. S., Prakash M. N. K., Prasad B. A., Ramana K. V. R.
Author Affiliation: Department of Fruit and Vegetable Technology, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore - 570 020, India.
Journal of Food Science and Technology (Mysore) 41 : 216-220
Abstract : 'Neelum' mangoes were harvested at optimum stage of maturity and subjected to postharvest dip treatment in 500 ppm ethrel - a ripening inducer (2-chloro-ethyl phosphonic acid) in water. Treated fruits were stored in ventilated plastic baskets for ripening at ambient conditions (24-29°C, RH 40-65%). Data revealed that ethrel treated fruits ripened 8 days with excellent sensory quality attributes, whereas control (untreated) fruits ripened in 12 days. Physicochemical parameters such as total soluble solids, pH, reducing sugars, total sugars and total carotenoids showed increasing trend up to 8 days during ripening, whereas decreasing trend was noticed in fruit pressure (texture), specific gravity, total acidity and ascorbic acid. The rate of respiration in freshly harvested 'Neelum' mangoes were 47 mg/CO2 per kg per h. The respiration rate of ethrel treated fruits reached respiratory climacteric peak (140 mg CO2 per kg per h) on 4th day of storage whereas, control fruits reached the climacteric peak (95 mg CO2 per kg per h) on 6th day of storage. Sensory quality characteristics with respect to colour, taste and flavour of ethrel treated 'Neelum' mangoes were found to be excellent.