Ripening and Storage of Imported Mangoes

Abstract

Mangoes have been imported from a few mangogrowing countries. They are still very small in quantity and are airifted to Japan. Thus there have been a plan to supply inexpensive mangoes by importing on a large scale by vessels. In this case, artificial ripening with C₂H₄ or storage for some period after mangoes reached Japan must be considered for uniform ripening, long shelf life and marketing adjustment. The objective of this study was to obtain data on large scale ripening with C₂H₄ and storage of mangoes. Summarized results in this study were as follows.
1. The effect of C₂H₄ on artificial ripening was not pronounced since mangoes have been already ripe before the experiments. Application of C₂H₄ to artificial ripening of mangoes on a large scale will probably be essential to the stimulation of ripening and also uniform ripening. Thus this problem was left for further study.
2. The respiration rate of mangoes was lowered at the temperature of 10-13°C. This could indicate the possibility of storage of even mature mangoes for some period necessary for marketing adjustment.
3. Weight losses of mangoes in the experimental chamber were much less than those of mangoes in the room. Loss in weight more than 6% caused shrivelling appearance on mango fruits and reduced marketable quality.
4. Appearance of anthracnose on mangoes at the temperature of 11-13°C was delayed as compared with the mangoes at the room temperature of 26-28°C.