Effect of cool-storage delays after harvest on the extent of ripening during and fruit quality after cool-storage.
Oosthuyse S. A.
Author Affiliation: HortResearch SA, P.O. Box 3849, Tzaneen 0850, South Africa.
: 81-85
Abstract : Sensation and Tommy Atkins mangoes were placed in cool-storage at 12.5°C for 28 days 12, 36, 60 or 84 hours after harvest. The fruits were held at 20°C prior to and after cool-storage. On fruit ripening after cool-storage, shelf-life and various fruit quality attributes were assessed. In Sensation, pulp penetration pressure, pulp colouration, and total soluble solids content were assessed on fruit placement in cool-storage and one week after the commencement of cool-storage. Shelf-life decreased markedly with the delay in time of fruit placement in cool-storage. In Sensation, ripening rate during the initial period of cool-storage increased with the delay prior to cool-storage. On fruit ripening, the incidence of lenticel damage in Tommy Atkins and Sensation generally increased with the delay prior to cool-storage. The trend was non-significant in Sensation. In this cultivar, taste appeal tended to decrease slightly with the delay prior to cool-storage. A similar trend was not apparent in Tommy Atkins. In Sensation and Tommy Atkins, differences in ground skin colouration, total soluble solids content, pH, pulp colouration and physiological disorder severity relating to treatment were not apparent. In Sensation, differences relating to treatment in disease, blotch and surface scald were not evident. These disorders did not occur in Tommy Atkins. The present study shows that unduly time delays in placing fruits in cool-storage after harvest can result in fruit being soft on arrival at ports and distributors overseas.