Development and feasibility of an approach utilizing modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and ethylene scrubbing to allow extended international transport and marketing of tree-ripe mangos

Abstract

The feasibility of incorporating modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) technology with or without ethylene scrubbing into existing mango international transport and marketing systems was evaluated as a way to allow the shipment of tree-ripe fruit to improve the quality of mangos available to consumers in the destination countries. In preliminary research, the optimum atmospheres (low O₂; high CO₂) for slowing ‘Tommy Atkins’ and ‘Keitt’ mango ripening beginning at the tree-ripe (half ripe) developmental stage were determined using controlled atmosphere (CA). BreatheWay® MAP and RYPEN^tm ethylene control systems were then custom designed for us by the companies based on the results of the CA experiments. The preliminary research established that tree-ripe mangos (Stage 3.0–3.5 on a 1–5 scale) can be stored as low as 7 °C for 4 weeks without showing chilling injury (CI) symptoms or deterioration of fruit internal quality when held at a minimum 4 kPa O₂ (‘Keitt’) or 6 kPa O₂ (‘Tommy Atkins’) plus 5–10 kPa CO₂. The MAP attained atmospheres similar to the optimum CA (average values of 6 kPa O₂ + 9 kPa CO₂ for both cultivars) for 4 weeks of storage at 7 °C. Ethylene scrubbing reduced ethylene concentration inside the MAP from 1.03 μL/L to 0.16 μL/L during storage at 7 °C. The MAP and ethylene scrubbing resulted in desired quality attributes (reduced CI, lenticel discoloration, and decay, plus higher fruit firmness and titratable acidity, and better organoleptic traits including acidity and overall eating quality) of tree-ripe mangos of both cultivars during ambient temperature (20 °C) shelf life. To summarize, MAP and ethylene scrubbing, alone or in combination, slowed down ripening related softening, color changes, and losses of sugars and acids, while sensory panelists rated the treated fruit as exhibiting higher overall eating quality than the control, which were overripe. Our results lead us to recommend BreatheWay® MAP and RYPEN^tm technology or their equivalent for long distance (4-week) shipping if the goal is to export/import tree-ripe mangos.