Quality of Ataulfo mango grown in Nayarit, México.
Osuna García J. A., Guzmán Robles M. L., Tovar Gómez B., Montes de Oca M. M., Vidal Martínez V. A.
Author Affiliation: Campo Experimental Santiago Ixcuintla, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias, Apartado Postal No. 100, C.P. 63300, Santiago Ixcuintla, Nayarit, Mexico.
Revista Fitotecnia Mexicana 25 : 367-374
Abstract : A study was conducted in Nayarit, Mexico, in 1998 to investigate the effect of harvesting date, postharvest handling and storage condition on the quality of mango cv. Ataulfo. The treatments comprised 3 harvesting dates (7 and 19 June, and 4 July), 4 postharvest handling steps (orchard, packinghouse, washing and hydrothermic) and 2 storage conditions (at 25±3°C with 65.75% RH for 9 days, and at 12±1°C with 85% RH for 14 days followed by 6 days at ambient temperature). The quality of Ataulfo met the requirements set by the Mexican Quality Standards for exporting fresh mangoes. However, it was significantly affected by the treatments. At commercial maturity, the fruits of the first and second harvests had better total soluble solids/acidity ratio, firmness, colour and external appearance than those of the third harvest season. The hot water treatment negatively affected firmness and increased sap injury, although it improved the internal and external colour. The storage conditions also affected firmness, internal colour and sap injury. Fruits stored under refrigeration followed by market stimulation at ambient temperature showed less firmness, poor internal colour and high sap injury.