Vol. 86 No: 6

Title:
Post-harvest fumigation with nitric oxide at the pre-climacteric and climacteric-rise stages influences ripening and quality in mango fruit

Authors:
SAKIMIN SITI ZAHARAH and ZORA SINGH

pp: 645-653

Abstract:
Mango fruit ripen extremely quickly, which limits their distribution to distant markets. Mature mango (Mangifera indica ‘Kensington Pride’) fruit harvested at the pre-climacteric (PC) and climacteric rise (CR) stages of ripening were fumigated with different concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20, or 40 μl l^-1) of nitric oxide (NO) to investigate the effects of this free-radical gas on fruit ripening and quality. Fumigation with NO at 20 μl l^-1 or 40 μl l^-1 was more effective at delaying and/or suppressing the climacteric rise in ethylene production and reducing the rate of respiration when applied to fruit at the PC stage than to fruit at the CR stage. NO-fumigation retarded the development of fruit colour, with lower chromicity L, a, b, and C values and higher h° values compared to untreated control fruit. Higher concentrations of NO (i.e., 20 μl l^-1 or 40 μl l^-1) were more effective at retarding fruit softening during ripening. The pulp of ripe, NO-fumigated fruit exhibited improved rheological properties (i.e., cohesiveness, springiness, and chewiness) and increased shikimic acid contents, but reduced concentrations of total sugars and fructose compared to non-fumigated, ripe fruit. In conclusion, NO-fumigation at 20 μl l^-1 or 40 μl l^-1 was more effective when applied early, at the PC stage, than later during the CR stage.

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