Effect of pulsed light fluences on quality, biochemistry and physiology of fresh-cut mangoes during refrigerated storage

Abstract

This study evaluated the quality of minimally processed mangoes irradiated with six different fluences (0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.2, 5.7 and 7.2 × 104 J m−2) of nonthermal pulsed light (PL). On the 1st, 7th and 14th days of storage at 5 °C, the mango cubes were evaluated for several quality indicators and components of physical products, such as color (L * and b *), electrolyte leakage (EL), titratable acidity (TA), pH, soluble solids (SS), vitamin C, pectinamethylesterase and polygalacturonase activity, histological evaluations, antioxidant enzyme activities, and firmness severely. Independent dose fluency treatment, it was observed that PL did not change enzymatic antioxidant system and firmness of fresh-cut mango, keeping its cell wall integrity, which could be verified by optical microscopy. On the other hand, the intensity of the applied PL exhibited different effects for the postharvest quality maintenance of fresh cut mango, evidenced also by principal component analysis (PCA). The lower fluences of PL (1.5 and 3.0 × 104 J m−2) did not affect the color (L * and b *), membrane permeability (indicated by EL), vitamin C content and the SS/TA ratio, suggesting maintenance of the maturity of fresh-cut mango. Meanwhile, higher fluences (5.7 and 7.2 × 104 J m−2) promoted a slight loss in the vitamin C content. Some variables associated with color, such as b* and C, showed decreased values during refrigerated storage. These results suggest that the application of lower fluences of PL exhibited the best results for fresh-cut mango postharvest.