Irradiation and the effect on mango fruit quality.
Grové T., Steyn W. P., Beer M. S. de
Author Affiliation: ARC-Institute for Tropical and Subtropical Crops, Private Bag X11208, Nelspruit 1200, South Africa.
Research Journal - South African Mango Growers' Association 24 : 22-25
Abstract : The South African mango growers would like to exploit new markets such as the USA. Unfortunately, mango fruits are attacked by the mango seed weevil, Sternochetus mangiferae, and three fruit fly species, i.e. Ceratitis cosyra, C. rosa and C. capitata. These pests are of quarantine importance and reliable quarantine treatments are therefore required. The US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services established a regulation providing the use of irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment for imported fruit and vegetables. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of irradiation on the quality of Tommy Atkins, Keitt and Kent. Mango fruits were harvested and packed at Bavaria Packhouse and transported via a refrigerated trailer to Cape Town harbour. Fruits were removed from cold storage and irradiated at High Energy Processing, Cape Town. Mangoes of each cultivar were exposed to dosages of 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 kGy and compared to untreated fruit. Afterwards, fruits were placed in cold storage at 10°C and were removed after 21-26 days and evaluated. Irradiation from 0.3 to 0.9 kGy resulted in increased lenticel damage of Tommy Atkins and Keitt fruits. The lenticels of Kent fruit were not affected by irradiation and no lenticel damage was present in the control fruit. Kent is therefore the only cultivar that shows promise for exportation to the USA after irradiation.