Exogenous application of polyamines improves shelf life and fruit quality of mango.
Malik A. U., Tan S. C., Singh Z.
Author Affiliation: University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan.
: 291-296
Abstract : The benefits of postharvest application of polyamines, i.e. spermine (SPM), spermidine (SPD) and putrescine (PUT), on the shelf life and fruit quality of mango (Mangifera indica cv. Kensington Pride) were studied. Polyamine application retarded fruit softening, colour development, and reduced physiological weight loss during storage without significantly reducing ethylene production. Lower concentrations of SPM (0.01 mM), and higher concentrations of SPD (0.5 mM) and PUT (1.0 mM) were more effective in retarding fruit softening. During fruit ripening, SPM (0.01 mM) resulted in minimum respiration compared with the control fruit. The analysis of ripe fruits, which were stored for 3 or 4 weeks, showed that polyamine application significantly increased fruit firmness, acidity and ascorbic acid, and reduced the TSS/acid ratio and total carotenoid content compared with the control. The exogenous application of polyamines improved the shelf life of mango without having deleterious effects on fruit quality.