Proposing Minimum Quality Indices and Improving Ripening Protocol for Mangos (Mangifera Indica L.) Imported to the United States for the Improvement of Consumer Quality PDF Download

Author: Sara González-Moscoso
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781321362633
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Although the mango fruit is widely produced and consumed around the world, consumers tend to experience inconsistent fruit quality due to harvest and postharvest handling factors. Better physico-chemical characterization after harvest and the identification of parameters that better predict ripe 'ready to eat' fruit quality are required to ensure higher fruit quality in the U.S. imported mango market. The objective of this study was to corroborate the effectiveness of dry matter (DM) as a minimum quality index (MQI) for the prediction of final consumer quality of mango fruit and to propose a realistic threshold for DM that assures a fruit that meets consumer acceptance after proper ripening. Fruit of mango cultivars 'Ataulfo', 'Haden' and 'Tommy Atkins' were stored at 20 °C and >85% relative humidity for twelve days, while quality measurements were taken every two days. Compared to other attributes, DM was stable during ripening and had the strongest correlation with ripe soluble solids concentration (RSSC) (R2 = 0.72). The firmness range between 4.5 and 26.7 N was corroborated as one that would meet consumer acceptance for `ready to eat' fruit. "In store" consumer tests showed that, in general, increasing DM tended to increase consumer acceptance of imported mangos. The results support DM as a stable parameter that can be used as a MQI to precisely predict the final consumer quality of mango fruit imported to the U.S. and select the fruit that will satisfy consumers. This study proposed the following MQI for 'Ataulfo' from Brazil, 'Haden' from Mexico, 'Kent' from Peru, and 'Tommy Atkins' from Mexico, Guatemala and Ecuador: 14.4%, 12.3%, 12.0%, 13.0%, 13.0%, and 11.0% DM, respectively. However, for 'Ataulfo' and 'Kent' from Mexico and `Francis' from Haiti the MQI could only be proposed as: (less than equal to)16.9 %, (less than equal to)15.0 %, and (less than equal to)16.7 % DM, respectively. With the information collected from this experiment along with information from previous studies on mango consumer acceptance, a ripening protocol was drafted. This protocol comprises the receiving, ripening, quality evaluation, and retail store handling and marketing for imported mangos. The protocol serves as a guideline for the postharvest handling of mangos with the main goal of assuring an acceptable mango flavor experience for consumers and increase mango sales in the U.S.