Quality evaluation of some local and imported mango cultivars grown in the United Arab Emirates.
El-Shiekh A. F., Burshaid R. K.
Author Affiliation: Dibba Experiment Station, Ministry of Environment & Water, POB 10411, Khorfakaan, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
: 365-376
Abstract : This study was done at Dibba Experiment Station, Eastern Region, Ministry of Environment & Water, UAE. 'Alphonso', 'Amrabally', 'Bombay Bady', 'Dabsha', 'Dusehri', 'Khad Al-Gameil', 'Langra Hindi', 'Langra Pakistani', 'Malda', 'Safida', 'Taimour', 'Totapuri', 'Zafraan' and 'Zebdia' imported mangoes in addition to # 3, # 5, # 6, # 7, # 8, # 9, 'Ahmar', 'Alsaf' and 'Kirat' local cultivars were evaluated for eating quality under UAE environmental conditions. Fruits were harvested at the firm ripe stage in each of 3 years. Fruits were sampled for qualitative (skin and pulp color; fruit weight and dimensions; pulp percentage) and quantitative (firmness, soluble solids contents, titratable acidity, and V. C. percentage) analysis. Comparisons between cultivars for sensory evaluation were also performed. Times of flowering and growth habit were observed. Time of flowering for most cultivars was in January except for 'Langra Pakistani' and 'Totapuri' which started to flower in February. Also, 'Kirat' cultivar has two cycles of flowering one in February/March and the other one is in September/October. Average fruit weight for imported cultivars ranged from 135 g ('Amrabally') to over 1000 g for 'Malda' while for local cultivars fruit weight ranged from 77-660 g. Imported mango cultivars had the highest pulp percentage (62-83); however, local cultivars had the lowest percentage (56-80). The best eating quality (no fibers, nice yellow/orange pulp color, high sugars and low acidity) was obtained from 'Alphonso', 'Amrabally', 'Dusehri', 'Langra Hindi', 'Langra Pakistani', 'Safida', 'Taimour', 'Zafraan', local # 7 and # 9 mangoes. These cultivars are good for fresh market. However, 'Dabsha', 'Khad Al-Gameil', 'Kirat', 'Malda', 'Totapuri' and 'Zebdia' mangoes are good for processing. In addition, local mangoes # 3, # 5 and # 6 are not recommended for cultivation because of their bad eating quality.