Abstract:
The effects of UV-C illumination at the dosage of 6.6 kJ m-2 on postharvest quality of
mango fruit cv. ‘Kaew Kamin’ during storage at 25 or 12°C were investigated. The
changes in fresh weight, texture, Ripening Index (RI), peel and pulp colours, visual
appearance, Total Carotenoids (TC) and Ascorbic Acid (AsA) content were determined
on days 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16 of storage. UV-C irradiation effectively maintained the fruit
firmness and delayed the increase in RI and the loss of peel greenness over storage. No
treatment had any effects on pulp yellowness over storage. The incorporation of UV-C
illumination and refrigerated storage (12°C) prevented postharvest disease and
maintained nutritional values such as TC and AsA content. In conclusion, UV-C
irradiation appears an effective alternative approach to maintain postharvest quality and
nutritional values and to extend shelf-life of ‘Kaew Kamin’ mango fruit.
Keywords: Mango, Postharvest quality, UV-C light
