Effects of film packaging and cold storage on postharvest quality of 'Tommy Atkins' mangoes.
Castro J. V., Pfaffenbach L. B., Carvalho C. R. L., Rossetto C. J.
Author Affiliation: Instituto Agronômico, Apta, Secretaria de Agricultura, Campinas, Brazil.
: 1683-1687
Abstract : In the present research the effects of modified atmosphere for plastic film associated with cold storage on 'Tommy Atkins' mango fruits were studied. Mangoes were packed in LDPE bags with and without potassium permanganate absorber, and PVC bags and stored at 12°C and 90% RH. Every week, the bags were removed and mangoes were transferred to ambient conditions to simulate marketing. Quality parameters (TSS, acidity, firmness, flesh and peel color) and losses (weight and rots) were evaluated immediately after cold storage and when the mangoes ripened at room temperature, after cold storage. The polyethylene reduced fruit weight loss during cold storage. For mangoes packed in LDPE with absorber, decay incidence was completely controlled for up to 21 days of refrigerated storage and the fruits remained firmer. At room temperature there were no residual effects of packaging on peel color development and on disease incidence. For all packages studied, when the mangoes ripened, they reached the ideal consumer quality conditions.