Physico - chemical characterization of the 'Tommy Atkins' mango submitted to preharvest application of calcium chloride and refrigerated storage

Abstract

The postharvest quality of 'Tommy Atkins' mango was evaluated after the preharvest application of CaCl2 and refrigerated storage. The studied factors were concentrations of CaCl2 (1% e 2%) and numbers of applications (2, 3 and 4 times). The spraying began 35 days after antese in intervals of 15 days. Of the 280 harvested fruits, 175 were taken for immediate analysis, while 105, were left in a cold chamber (10ºC) during 30 days for later analysis. Significant difference was observed between the tested concentrations of CaCl2 and the witness, for most of the appraised quality characteristics, except for total sugars (fruits analyzed after 30 days), while the number of applications presented influence on the texture, soluble solids (after 30 days) and total soluble sugars (after the harvest).