Seal packaging by plastic film as a technique for limiting fungal decay of mangoes.
Sornsrivichai J., Gomolmanee S., Boonyakiat D., Uthaibutra J., Gemma H., Boon-Long P.
Author Affiliation: Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50002, Thailand.
Acta Horticulturae : 23-32
Abstract : Mature-green mangoes cv. Nam Dork Mai were pretreated with hot benomyl at 1000 p.p.m. before being individually seal-packaged with 0.01 mm PVC film and stored at 13°C. The combined effects of benomyl pretreatment and seal-packaging extended the storage life by retarding fungal decay during prolonged cold storage. Fungal decay was delayed for c. 5 weeks in sealed fruit compared with 2-3 weeks in non-sealed fruits. The number of decaying fruits in sealed packages were reduced to 25% of the control. No signifcant reduction in fungal decay was found in sealed fruits with no benomyl pretreatment. An additional experiment was conducted by inoculating the fruit with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides [Glomerella cingulata]. Growth of G. cingulata was retarded in sealed fruits. Film packaging retarded fruit softening at the outer portion of the flesh but accelerated softening in the inner portion. During 4 weeks in storage, the fruits were sampled periodically and allowed to ripen at room temp. The fruit quality was not affected by film packaging. After 6 weeks the sealed fruits were of inferior quality after ripening. This paper was presented at the 23rd International Horticultural Congress on Tropical Fruits, held in Florence, Italy, on 30th Aug. 1990.