Distribution package systems for mangoes.
Deepadung D., Intawiwat N., Chonhenchob V.
Author Affiliation: Department of Packaging Technology, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand.
: 594-601
Abstract : Mangoes (cv. Namdokmai) were hand-harvested from orchards in Thailand at immature, mature and ripe stages to determine the effect of maturity on bruise resistance. The current postharvest and distribution practices for mangoes were observed. The major postharvest losses of mangoes were due to bruises, decay and skin shrinkage. The average bruising percentage as observed at supermarket and fresh market was 39 and 70%, respectively. Impact, drop and compression tests were also conducted to determine the effect of mechanical forces on bruising of mangoes. Immature, mature and ripe mangoes were compared for their resistance to mechanical forces. The mangoes were stored at room temperature and evaluated for bruise level, bruise volume, total soluble solids (TSS) and titratable acidity (TA) during storage. The firmness index of mangoes decreased as maturity stages increased, and the firmness index at the head was lower than those at the cheek. The maturity stage had a significant effect on bruise damage where the highest bruising percentage was observed in ripe mangoes followed by mature and immature mangoes. The results of the drop test study indicated that mature and ripe mangoes were susceptible to drop, while the head was more susceptible than the cheek in immature and mature mangoes. Severe bruising was observed in all mangoes subject to the weights of 400, 800, 1200 and 1600 g. The bruise volume increased as maturity increased and was higher at the fruit bottom than the top. The TSS:TA ratio increased as maturity stage increased. The mangoes subjected to mechanical forces had higher TSS:TA ratio. In a related experiment, the various distribution package systems for mangoes, namely reusable plastic container (RPC) used in Thailand (inside dimension of 52×32.5×30 cm), RPC from the USA (inside dimension of 37×27.5×16.5 cm), RPC-US-B (inside dimension of 58×37×9 cm) and corrugated container (CFB, inside dimension of 58×45×12 cm), were compared. The cushioning systems used were foam net and paper wrap. The newly-developed corrugated box with single layer placement and paper wrap cushion showed the best protection for mangoes.