Postharvest quality and storage life of Kuini (Mangifera Odorata Griff) at different storage temperature

Abstract

Mangifera Odorata or locally called Kuini, is a mango species with attractive striking orange flesh and have strong and unique smell, make it special in local market. Research is being carried out in MARDI from seed production to marketing to expose M. odorata to local and export market.  Postharvest handling technology is one of importance aspect that has been develop to cater the market needs for commercialization.  Proper postharvest handling will reduce postharvest losses, maintain freshness and to prolong storage life to make sure consumer get the premium quality of fruit.  In postharvest handling, one of most important factors to maintain quality during handling, distribution and display is storage at the optimum temperature.  Effect of different storage temperature on quality and storage life of M. odorata var. Tembaga were carried out. M. odorata at 11 to 12 weeks after fruit set were harvest at MARDI Sintok, Kedah and transported to packinghouse MARDI Serdang for storage study.  On arrival at MARDI Serdang, fruit were sorted, washed, drain, packed and stored at different storage temperature (8, 10, 13, 15 and 25⁰C).  Visual quality assessment (appearance, disease quality changes), physical (texture, colour (Lightness, hue, chroma)) and chemical (pH, total titratable acidity (TTA), ascorbic acid, soluble solid content (SSC)) analysis were carried out weekly.  Results of this study showed that storage duration and different storage duration significantly affected SSC. pH, TTA, chroma of M. odorata. The highest TSS, pH and chroma of M. odorata at 10⁰C and the lowest at 25⁰C.  The highest TTA of M. odorata at storage temperature 8⁰C and 13⁰C, and the lowest TTA at 25⁰C.  Ascorbic acid content not significantly affected by different storage temperature from 8 to 15⁰C, but significant different compare to ascorbic acid content at ambient storage temperature.  Ascorbic acid content of M. odorata significantly lower at 25⁰C compare to storage at  8 C - 15⁰C.  Lightness and texture of M. odorata slightly decrease during storage but not significant (P>0.05). Lightness of M. Odorata was not significantly affected by different storage temperature. Hue of M. Odorata significantly affected by storage duration and but not affected by different storage temperature. Hue of M. odorata significantly increased in the first weeks of storage, followed by significant decreased at week 2, maintain until week 4 and significantly decreased at week 5. Quality observed visually showed that freshness of M. Odorata maintain 5 weeks at 8⁰C, 4 weeks at 10⁰C, 2 weeks at 10 – 15⁰C and 1 week at 25⁰C.