Fruit ripening, quality and shelf life of mango as effected by postharvest application of ethephon

Mature fruits of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Kensington Pride were dipped in either distilled water or aqueous solution containing Tween 80 surfactants (0.01 percent) and ethephon at 250, 500, 1000, 1500 or 2000 ppm for five minutes. After drying the fruits, a fungicide solution containing Sportak (0.55 ml/L) was applied to the fruits. The fruits were allowed to dry and kept at 20 deg C for 24 hr to induce ripening and then transferred to 13 deg C. The fruits were packed and sealed in modified atmosphere packaging special bags for mango, when the fruit pulp temperature was constant at 13 deg C. The fruits were stored at 13.5+-0.5 deg C. Carbon dioxide, oxygen and ethylene concentrations in sealed bags were measured periodically during storage using a Servomex gas analyser and Gas Liquid Chromatograph. During the storage period there was an increase in the concentrations of oxygen and decrease in carbon dioxide in the sealed bags with the application of ethephon treatments. Concentrations of ethylene in the sealed bags were increased as the concentration of applied ethephon was increased. Twenty five days after fruit storage, ripening, total soluble solids, acidity, sugars and eating quality of the fruit were analysed. All the treatments of ethephon have significantly reduced the ripening time and fruit firmness. Colour index of the fruits was significantly increased with the ethephon treatments. Ehephon treatments have significantly reduced the acid content and improved total soluble solids, reducing, non-reducing and total sugars of the fruits as compared to the untreated fruits. Eating quality of the treated fruits was significantly improved with the ethephon treatments. These preliminary results showed that ethephon induced fruit ripening combined with modified atmosphere packaging improved fruit quality and prolonged shelf life of mangoes.