Respiratory Climacteric and Chemical Changes in the Mango Fruit, Mangifera indica L.1

Abstract

Abstract The parameters for optimum maturity of fruit of ‘Pairi’ variety mango, harvested near Mysore from 1964 to 1969, have been found to be 260 ± 20 g in weight, olive green surface color, and outgrown shoulders. In addition, pH and color of the pulp in terms of chromaticity coordinate x were useful indices. Other parameters were not consistent. Respiration climacteric maximum was delayed in immature fruits and advanced in over-mature fruits. Fruits of optimal maturity recorded the climacteric maximum on the 9th day ± 1 at ambient storage of 26 ± 2°C and 45–65% RH. Sugar accumulation was maximum at about the time of the climacteric peak in respiration and sucrose was predominant. The chemical composition of the fruit was more or less similar over several seasons and harvests.