POST-HARVEST CHARACTERISTICS OF MANGO FRUITS (Mangifera sp.) FROM SOCONUSCO, CHIAPAS

Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is the second most important tropical fruit in the world. In the Soconusco region of Chiapas, Mexico, there is a large number of mango genotypes with a broad range of shapes, flavors, and aromas, with the potential to increase its cultivation. Therefore, the post-harvest characteristics of three creole mango genotypes, ‘Manililla’, ‘Cuero’, and ‘Manzana’ were evaluated and compared with the variety ‘Ataúlfo’. Fifty fruits from each genotype were harvested and stored at 20 °C and 75 % relative humidity; quality characteristics (epidermis/seed/pulp ratio, weight loss, color, firmness, °Bx, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, pectimethylesterase enzymatic activity, phenolic acid and flavonoid content in epidermis) were evaluated under a completely randomized design. The results showed that ‘Manililla’ and ‘Cuero’ fruits had a significantly higher weight loss, while ‘Manzana’ and ‘Ataúlfo’ were similar in pulp content. The creole genotypes ‘Cuero’ and ‘Manzana’ had an attractive yellow-orange color, with red shading on the shoulders and orange in the pulp. The SST/AT ratio in ‘Manililla’ and ‘Cuero’ (71.1 and 62.6, respectively), was significantly higher in relation to ‘Ataúlfo’ (39.1) due to low acidity. ‘Manzana’ had higher total sugar content (30.3 g 100 g-1) and a firmer texture after six days of storage (dda). ‘Cuero’ showed greater weight loss and higher ascorbic acid content, 32 % more than ‘Ataúlfo’. The pulp content of ‘Manzana’ fruits was similar to that of ‘Ataúlfo’, with less weight loss and greater firmness, making it appealing for marketing.