Low temperature conditioning alleviates chilling injury in mango (Mangifera indica L. cv. Carabao) fruit

Issue Date

4-2013

Abstract

Chilling injury in mango and other tropical produce limits the efficacy of low temperature storage in extending the storage life and in maintaining the postharvest quality of harvested commodities. The potential of low temperature conditioning in alleviating chilling injury in mango fruits was evaluated. Green mature 'Carabao' mango fruits were subjected to different low temperature conditioning treatments of 10˚C and/or 13˚C for 3 days prior to storage at 7˚C for 4 weeks. Starting on the 2nd week of storage, fruits were withdrawn weekly and rated for chilling injury symptoms. Physico-chemical properties and internal fruit quality were assessed after ripening at 25˚C. Low temperature conditioning treatments alleviated chilling injury symptoms in 'Carabao' mango fruits stored at 7˚C for 4 weeks. Conditioning at 13˚C or 10˚C for 3 days reduced the severity of peel discoloration, and prevented the development of vascular browning. On the other hand, reduced severity of lenticel spotting was observed in fruits conditioned for 3 days at 13˚C and those conditioned for 6 days, i. e. 3 days at 13˚C followed by 3 days at 10˚C. A delay in the onset of diseases contributed to the slow rate of decline in visual decline due to lenticel spotting, peel discoloration and onset of diseases. Normal ripening proceeded in the cold-stored fruits when transferred to 25˚C regardless of whether these were low temperature-conditioned or not as shown by the increase in peel color, decrease in titratable acidity and increase in total soluble solids content. Fruits conditioned at 10˚C for 3 days prior to storage at 7˚C were still of good visual and organoleptic qualities after 4 weeks of cold storage and subsequent ripening at 25˚C. Fruits from this treatment extended the storage life at 7˚C for 21 days and shelf life at 25˚C for 8 days. Based on this study, chilling injury in 'Carabao' mango fruits following prolonged storage at 7˚C is best alleviated when fruits are conditioned for 3 days at 10˚C.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Journal of Crop Science

ISSN

0115-463x

Volume

38

Issue

1

Page

24-32

Document Type

Article

Frequency

tri-quarterly

Physical Description

tables/graphs

Language

English

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