Emulsion coating to extend postharvest life of mango (Mangifera indica cv Manila)

A coating emulsion was prepared using maltodextrins, carboxymethylcellulose, propileneglycol and a mixture of sorbitan fatty acid esters with an HLB of 6. The emulsion was sprayed on fully mature, unripened manila mangoes, which were the stored at 15 and 25C and 80-85 % R.H. At 25C it was observed that rate CO2 production increased and lost in control fruits after 12 days of storage. Coated mangoes kept their rate CO2 production and suffered only 8% weight loss after 21 days of storage. After storage, the coating was washed out and fruits were allowed to ripen naturally, which occurred in 3-4 days. The results obtained from this study indicate that application of the hydrophobic coating extended the postharvest storage of mangoes for at least 20 days more than uncoated fruits.