Quality Improvement in Citrus and Subtropical Products Res Site Logo
ARS Home About Us Helptop nav spacerContact Us En Espanoltop nav spacer
Printable VersionPrintable Version     E-mail this pageE-mail this page
Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture
Search
  Advanced Search
 
Programs and Projects
Subjects of Investigation
 

Research Project: ENHANCEMENT OF THE QUALITY AND MICROBIAL STABILITY OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES WITH EDIBLE COATINGS AND OTHER SURFACE TREATMENTS

Location: Quality Improvement in Citrus and Subtropical Products Res

Title: Surface treatments and coatings to maintain fresh-cut mango quality in storage

Authors
item Plotto, Anne
item Narciso, Jan
item Rattanapanone, Nithiya -
item Baldwin, Elizabeth

Submitted to: Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: June 20, 2010
Publication Date: October 1, 2010
Citation: Plotto, A., Narciso, J.A., Rattanapanone, N., Baldwin, E.A. 2010. Surface treatments and coatings to maintain fresh-cut mango quality in storage. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 90:2333-2341.

Interpretive Summary: Fresh cut mangoes have a high value added for the fresh-cut industry. In this experiment, 5 mango varieties/sources were treated with antibrowning agents after cutting, followed or not with polysaccharide coatings: carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), carrageenan and chitosan. The antioxidant dips maintained visual quality and acidity of fruit slices up to 20 days in refrigerated storage. Edible coatings did not give additional benefit for maintaining quality of fresh cut mangoes.

Technical Abstract: Edible coatings may improve quality of fresh cut fruit by preventing moisture loss and decreasing gas exchange in storage. This study evaluated the effect of an antioxidant dip made of calcium ascorbate, citric acid and N-acetyl-L-cysteine, followed or not with carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) or carrageenan coatings on quality of fresh cut mangoes stored at 5 °C for up to 20 d. A fourth treatment, only used in one of 4 experiments, consisted of chitosan. Treatments were applied on ‘Tommy Atkins’, ‘Kent’ and ‘Keitt’ mangoes harvested from Homestead (FL), and on imported store-bought mangoes. The antioxidant dips maintained the best visual quality in storage for all cultivars as indicated by higher b*, chroma, L*, and visual evaluation. The CMC coating maintained a similar visual quality, but carrageenan or chitosan decreased L* and b*. No treatment consistently maintained firmness for all the cultivars. Soluble solids content tended to vary depending on cultivars and ripeness of the fruit, but not due to treatment. The antioxidant treatment maintained higher titratable acidity for ‘Kent’ and ‘Keitt’, resulting in lower sensory sweetness ratings. This study with repeated experiments showed that calcium ascorbate with citric acid and N-acetyl-L-cysteine maintained cut mango slices attractiveness in storage by keeping light color in both varieties, but firmness was maintained only for ‘Keitt’ mango slices.

   

 
Project Team
Baldwin, Elizabeth - Liz
Plotto, Anne
Narciso, Jan
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products (306)
 
 
Last Modified: 05/26/2013
ARS Home | USDA.gov | Site Map | Policies and Links 
FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Nondiscrimination Statement | Information Quality | USA.gov | White House