Quality and Microbial Changes of Fresh-cut Mango Cubes Held in Controlled Atmosphere

Abstract

The marketable period of fresh-cut `Tommy Atkins' and `Kent' mango cubes was 3 to 5 days at 10 °C and 5 to 8 days at 5 °C. The marketable period was extended by 1 to 2 days when cubes were held in a 4 kPa O 2 + 10 kPa CO 2 or 2 kPa O 2 + 10 kPa CO 2 (balance N 2 ) atmospheres, depending on cultivar and temperature. Variations in texture (shear force), pH, and soluble solids were greater among cubes from different mango lots than among cubes held at different temperatures or atmospheres. Yeast count increased more with time than did the total mesophilic aerobic count, and the increase was less under controlled atmosphere (CA) than in air at 10 °C. The CA was beneficial in maintaining quality of the cubes; however, low temperature was more effective than CA.