Abstract:
Several factors affect mango fruit appearance and quality at the postharvest level. Lenticel
browning in mango at postharvest stage is becoming one of the main problems in commercial
cultivation as it is responsible for the quality loss of mango fruits in both domestic and
international trade. Considering this aspect, a study was conducted to increase the postharvest
quality of the mango variety ‘TomEJC’ by reducing postharvest lenticel browning. The effects of
harvesting time and ascorbic acid concentrations on lenticel browning were tested with the
samples obtained from Nelna Agri Development (Pvt) Ltd. The laboratory experiment was
conducted at the Agronomy laboratory, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa
University of Sri Lanka. The first experiment included two harvesting times (morning and evening
harvesting) with four replicates. The second experiment was arranged based on the result of the
first experiment with four treatments (dip in normal water, dipped in 150, 200 and 250 ppm
ascorbic acid concentrations) for 5 minutes with three replicates. During the storage period after
applying the treatments, parameters such as lenticels increasing percentage, colour changing
percentage, moisture loss percentage, texture decrease percentage and brix value were recorded
observations. According to the results, harvesting time was significantly affected on lenticel
browning increase percentage and moisture decrease percentage. Mango harvesting in the
evening has a lower lenticel browning increasing percentage (1.57±1.01%) and moisture
decreasing percentage (8.64±1.34%). According to application of ascorbic acid treatments, all
ascorbic treatments significantly decreased lenticels browning percentage. However, the best
results were recorded by dipping in ascorbic acid treatment at 250 ppm (3.57±2.07%). In
conclusion, mango harvesting in the evening and dipped in 250 ppm concentration of ascorbic
acid could be recommended for reducing lenticel browning in 'TomEJC' at the post harvesting
stage.
