Combination of 1-methylcyclopropene treatment and controlled atmosphere storage retains overall fruit quality and bioactive compounds in mango.

BACKGROUND Postharvest application of fungicide prochloraz and hot-water dip are commercially practiced to control postharvest diseases in mangoes. Owing to the increasing consumer demand for organically produced fruit, the search for natural environmentally friendly alternative products and processes has become important for the fruit industry. This study evaluated the combined effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) (500 nL L⁻¹) and controlled atmosphere storage conditions (CA-1, 5% O₂ + 5% CO₂ or CA-2, 3% O₂ + 8% CO₂) on the maintenance of fruit quality and bioactive compounds on hot-water treated mangoes (cv. Kent) during postharvest storage. RESULTS In comparison to the 1-MCP + CA-1 treatment, 1-MCP + CA-2 reduced the incidence of anthracnose, weight and firmness loss; delayed the skin and flesh colour development; prevented the increase of soluble solids concentration/titratable acidity ratio, ethanol and acetaldehyde content; and maintained the ascorbic acid, carotenoid, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant scavenging activity in hot-water treated mangoes. The untrained panel preferred 1-MCP + CA-2 treated fruit to the fruit subjected to other postharvest treatments adopted in this investigation. CONCLUSION Our investigation suggests that the combined effect of 1-MCP and CA-2 storage can be recommended as an alternative treatment to replace prochloraz application for hot-water treated mangoes and can be adopted commercially for organic export markets.