Natural Ripening Research Articles

Utilization of a freeze-thaw treatment to enhance phenolic ripening and tannin oxidation of grape seeds in red (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivars

Phenolic ripening represents a major interest for quality wine producers. Nevertheless, climatic or genotypical limitations can often prevent optimal maturation process. During winemaking seeds can be easily separated and technologically processed to improve their quality. Relying on the key role of oxidation for phenolic ripening, a freeze-thaw treatment was proposed to improve the fruit quality for potential use in challenging growing conditions. The experiment was carried on in two distinctive viticultural areas, Michigan and Italy. Five cultivars (Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot noir and Chambourcin) and six cultivars (Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Syrah, Croatina, Barbera and Nebbiolo) were used in Michigan and Italy, respectively. Samples were collected at different phenological stages, to describe the natural ripening process and grape seeds were characterized before and after a freeze-thaw treatment. Colorimetric and spectrophotometric data highlighted similarities among natural and artificial seed ripening promising future applications for the wine industries.

Experimental approaches for agro-ecological management of black leaf streak in dry and humid tropical conditions

Black leaf streak (BLS), caused by the phytopathogenic fungus Pseudocercospora fijiensis, leads to leaf necrosis and often to a substantial reduction in fruit yield. It also causes the fruit to ripen early by reducing the time between harvest and the beginning of natural ripening, called green life (GL). The usual method of control is by spraying fungicides, but this type of management is challenged worldwide due to the high costs, regulation of products, environmental concerns and the development of resistance. Integrated pest control is an alternative management method based on the combination of agronomic practices that can slow down the development of the epidemic, and limit damage to the fruit. Two experiments were conducted in the Dominican Republic and Martinique, to evaluate the performance of an innovative prototype cropping system with no chemical control. This system is based on optimal growth management, to reduce stress and enhance the leaf emission rate, combined with the systematic removal of necrotic parts of the leaves, which strongly limits ascopore sporulation and reduces the effect of BLS on GL. Depending on the conditions and cycles, the reduction in bunch weight with the prototype system versus chemical control ranged from O to 15%. Bananas were harvested at the same physiological age in the prototype and in the control. The bananas harvested from plants with as low as zero leaves left at harvest retained a good aptitude for conservation, with up to 40 days of GL, on average. The limited impact on fruit weight observed suggests that physiological compensation phenomena through remobilization of resources inside the plant (stem, bunch, suckers) occur. Above all, the removal of necrotic leaves prevented a significant negative effect on early fruit ripening when the bananas were harvested at the correct physiological age, and enabled export of the fruit despite the small number of leaves remaining on the plant at harvest. These results offer perspectives for the development and transfer of alternative practices to chemical control.

English

Sugarcane chemical ripening is aimed at accelerating the sucrose accumulation in the stems for harvesting when the climate conditions of crop year are hardly optimal for natural ripening. The study aims at determining the best response of sugarcane varieties to glyphosate ripening effect and the harvest delay after its application in Ferke 2 Sugar Bowl, Northern Cote d’Ivoire, in order to improve the technological qualities of canes at the early harvest season. Twenty plantations (700 ha) hosting two commercial varieties NCo376 and SP711406 were treated with glyphosate (360 emulsion concentrated) at 0.8 L/ha. For each plantation, two sample plots of 1 ha control and treated were determined. Those samples were analyzed to determine the sucrose gradient all along the stalks and monitor their technological qualities after 10, 15 and 20 days. As results, glyphosate improved sucrose content and the recoverable sugar of treated varieties. SP71-1406 was more sensitive than NCo376 with uniform qualities all along stalks after 20 days. Gains of 1.6% sucrose content and 1.5% recoverable sugar were obtained, compared to the control. So, the uppermost parts preservation of harvested stalks is justified and a sugar gain of 0.13 t/ha except those generated by the ripener. Key words: Glyphosate, ripener, technological quality, gradient, sucrose, recoverable sugar.

An infrared based sensor system for the detection of ethylene for the discrimination of fruit ripening

We report the fabrication and testing of a prototype ethylene sensing device for use in fruit ripening applications. A sensor based on infrared (IR) thermal emission was developed and used to detect the ethylene level released during the fruit ripening process. An IR thermal source tuned to the 10.6µm wavelength was linked to a high-sensitivity silicon temperature detector. When introduced into the wave path between the IR source and temperature detector, ethylene absorbs the 10.6µm IR waves and decreases the surface temperature of the detector. The output is then converted to an electrical signal (in mV), which gives a direct measurement of the ethylene level. Using this sensor, ethylene concentration measured from a fruit sample continuously decreased from 59 to 5ppm during the natural ripening process. The sensor exhibited a sensitivity of 3.3±0.2% (change in detector output (mV)/ppm×100) and could measure concentrations as low as 5ppm with rise and recovery times of 1 and 3s, respectively. The system demonstrated good reproducibility. Devices employing this sensor system may be used for fruit ripening applications on site and in the field and for screening artificially ripened fruits, therefore contributing to ensure food safety.

Ethylene detection using TiO2–WO3 composite sensor for fruit ripening applications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper was to develop a chemo-resistive sensor based on TiO2–WO3 composite material to detect and estimate ethylene released from the fruit ripening process to ensure food safety.Design/methodology/approachThe ethylene sensor has been fabricated using TiO2–WO3 composite material through the sol-gel method.FindingsThe sensitivity of the sensor obtained using the pre-calibrated ethylene is found to be 46.2 per cent at 200 ppm ethylene concentration, and the proposed sensor could measure 8 ppm as the lowest concentration.Originality/valueThe sensor was tested for continuous ethylene detection during natural ripening of fruits and hence is useful for ensuring food safety through discrimination of the type of fruit ripening. A TiO2–WO3 composite ethylene sensor is developed for the first time.

Ethylene biosynthesis and perception during ripening of loquat fruit (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.)

In order to gain insights into the controversial ripening behavior of loquat fruits, in the present study we have analyzed the expression of three genes related to ethylene biosynthesis (ACS1, ACO1 and ACO2), two ethylene receptors (ERS1a and ERS1b), one signal transduction component (CTR1) and one transcription factor (EIL1) in peel and pulp of loquat fruit during natural ripening and also in fruits treated with ethylene (10μLL−1) and 1-MCP (10μLL−1), an ethylene action inhibitor. In fruits attached to or detached from the tree, a slight increase in ethylene production was detected at the yellow stage, but the respiration rate declined progressively during ripening. Accumulation of transcripts of ethylene biosynthetic genes did not correlate with changes in ethylene production, since the maximum accumulation of ACS1 and ACO1 mRNA was detected in fully coloured fruits. Expression of ethylene receptor and signaling genes followed a different pattern in peel and pulp tissues. After fruit detachment and incubation at 20°C for up to 6days, ACS1 mRNA slightly increased, ACO1 experienced a substantial increment and ACO2 declined. In the peel, these changes were advanced by exogenous ethylene and partially inhibited by 1-MCP. In the pulp, 1-MCP repressed most of the changes in the expression of biosynthetic genes, while ethylene had almost no effects. Expression of ethylene perception and signaling genes was barely affected by ethylene or 1-MCP. Collectively, a differential transcriptional regulation of ethylene biosynthetic genes operates in peel and pulp, and support the notion of non-climacteric ripening in loquat fruits. Ethylene action, however, appears to be required to sustain or maintain the expression of specific genes.

Evaluation of antimicrobial effectiveness of pimaricin-loaded thermosensitive nanohydrogel coating on Arzúa-Ulloa DOP cheeses

Pimaricin is a fungicide commonly used on the cheese surface. In this work poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) nanohydrogels copolymerized with acrylic acid (PNIPA-20AA(5)) were proposed to encapsulate pimaricin and release it in a controlled manner to prevent a real food product, Arzúa-Ulloa DOP cheese, from food spoilage. The results reflect that the nanohydrogel coating neither impart any adverse effects (compared to the control) nor influence the natural ripening process of Arzúa-Ulloa DOP cheese. In the bioassay with artificial contamination, the total fungal counts in cheeses with the pimaricin-loaded nanohydrogel coating (NP) were lower than those of all the other treatments, during all the assay (30 days). Despite significant (p < 0.05) differences were not maintained for a long time, probably due to the very high initial microbial load, the antimicrobial effect of the NP-coating evidenced its protective effect in cheeses. A new qPCR method that allows the total fungal counts to be quantified directly from the cheese samples was also developed to avoid the inconveniences associated with the traditional methods based on Standard Plate Count (SPC). The efficiency of the reaction in the cheese matrix was good, and the qPCR assay was highly linear. A good correlation between both analysis (SPC and qPCR) was observed (around 100% of accuracy). The results obtained in this work reveal the usefulness of thermosensitive nanohydrogels for encapsulating and releasing pimaricin to reduce the amount of free pimaricin in the foods bulk but getting sufficient inhibition of fungal growth.

English

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of control action (natural ripening, without ripeners) and of glyphosate, paraquat, fluazi-p-butil, ethephon, etyl-trinexapac, sulfometuron methyl and KNO3 on the number of stalks per area, diameter of the median third of stalks and productivity (tons of canesstalks per hectare), and brix, pol of the sugarcane and extractable sugar. It was used a randomized block design with four replicates in a sub-split plots. KNO3 contributes to improve agronomic quality by increasing productivity of stalks and the most favorable harvest period to the variable was from 60 to 120 days after ripener application (DAA). Etyl-trinexapac, sulfometuron methyl and KNO3 increased technological variables and the most adequate harvest period for ratoon sugar cane was 120 days after application (DAA) of ripeners and control, because they provided gains for variables ATR, Brix and PC in comparison to the respective initial reference times. &nbsp; Key words: Plant regulators, Saccharum spp., technological quality.

Effect of pre-harvest potassium chloride treatment on anthracnose disease development in harvested TomEJC mango (&lt;em&gt;Mangifera indica&lt;/em&gt; L.) fruits

Mango (Variety “TomEJC”) has the highest potential in the export market due to its quality characteristics: ex-cellent flavor, low fiber content and smooth flesh. However, the variety takes two weeks to ripen to table-ripe stage, after harvest. Due to this slow ripening nature of the variety, development of anthracnose has a high poten-tial which leads to rejection by consumers. This disease can be effectively controlled with chemical treatments or fungicides, which may render the treated fruits less safe for consumption. This research was carried out to find out the effect of pre-harvest KCl application on the control of anthracnose development of ripe fruits. Three KCl concentrations, 1 g l-1, 2 g l-1 and 4 g l-1 were sprayed separately once on to fruits at immature (one-month after fruit set) at pre-harvest stage. Fruits harvested at the correct maturity were inoculated with Colletotrichum gloeo-sporioides spore suspension and allowed for natural ripening in a humid chamber. Incidence and severity of an-thracnose disease was significantly lower on mangoes treated with 2 g l-1 KCl compared to other treatments and untreated control. Fruit length, fruit width, fruit volume and peel color did not affect by the treatments. There-fore 2 g l-1 KCl could be recommended as a pre-harvest application to mango fruits to minimize post-harvest inci-dences of anthracnose.

Effect of pre-harvest Potassium Treatment on Stem-end Rot Disease Development of Mango (Mangifera indica L.)cv. TomEJC during Fruit Ripening

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. TomEJC has utmost potential in export market due to its unique quality. Post-harvest disease of mango such as stem-end rot can cause considerable losses of fruits and could therefore be considered as a great threat to local and export market. This disease is controlled by application of fungicides from the time of flowering in cultivations where this disease is severe. However, the use of fungicides could lead to hazardous effects such as oncogenic risks on the consumers. Therefore, search for alternative measures for the management of stem-end rot disease is essential. In this study, an attempt was made to find out the effect of pre-harvest application of KCl on controlling stem-end rot disease development of ripe fruit. KCl at concentrations of 1 gl-1, 2 gl-1 and 4 gl-1 were sprayed on fruit when fruits were immature. All fruits were bagged with paper bags and fruits were harvested at the correct maturity stage. Then all fruits were inoculated with Botryodiplodia theobromae mycelial plug and allowed for natural ripening. A significant difference was observed in fruit length, fruit width and fruit volume in KCl- treated fruits when compared to controls. Highest fruit volume was observed in 1 gl-1 KCl- treated fruits and the lowest amount of total soluble solids was observed in 2 gl-1 KCl- treated fruits. An increase in lightness and yellowness of peel color in KCl- treated fruits when compared to control II (non-inoculated, non-treated) was evident, indicated by increasing L*, b* and chroma values. However, no significant difference in hue values of peel color was observed among treatments. Flesh color showed a different response to treatments and no difference in chroma value was observed among treatments. The highest L* value and hue value was observed in 2 gl-1 KCl- treated fruits. Incidence and severity of stem-end rot was significantly decreased by 2 gl-1 KCl treatment without drastically affecting the physico-chemical properties of fruits. Vast research has shown that potassium and chloride fertility have been effective in reducing crop injury from diseases. Different mechanisms such as nutritional effects, changes of the host-pathogen environment and production of disease inhibitory compounds could be some possible ways of action of both K and Cl in modifying disease resistance or susceptibility. Since 2 gl-1 KCl was able to suppress stem-end rot disease development in inoculated fruits, this concentration can be recommended as a field application to control this disease in mango variety tested after repeating the same experiment at different locations.

Plant regulators and invertase activity in sugarcane at the beginning of the harvest season

Invertases play an essential role in partitioning photosynthates between storage and growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the activity of acid and neutral invertases and the role they play in controlling the accumulation of sucrose in sugarcane as a result of the application of plant regulators in the beginning of the cropping season.A randomized block experimental design was adopted, with five replicates.The treatments consisted in the application of three plant regulators of the class of growth inhibitors (Sulfomethuron-methyl - 20g ha-1, Glyphosate - 0.4L ha-1, and Compounds from organic carboxylic radicals + Glyphosate - 1L ha-1 + 0.15L ha-1), in addition to a control (natural ripening).The acid and neutral invertase levels are affected in different ways and intensities, due to the active principle used as ripening agent and to the weather conditions.In sugarcane variety RB85-5453, with the conditions described in this experiment, it is suggested high levels of soluble acid invertase in relation to levels of neutral invertase; however, the first was characterized by high sucrose content in the stalks.Inverse correlation could be established for sugarcane variety RB85-5453 between soluble acid invertase levels and effective sucrose accumulation in the stalks.

Application of lemongrass oil in vapour phase for the effective control of anthracnose of 'Sekaki' papaya.

To evaluate the potential use of lemongrass essential oil vapour as an alternative for synthetic fungicides in controlling anthracnose of papaya. Lemongrass oil used in the study was characterized using gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) before it was tested against anthracnose of papaya in vitro and in vivo. The GC-FID analysis showed that geranial (45·6%) and neral (34·3%) were the major components in lemongrass oil. In vitro study revealed that lemongrass oil vapour at all concentrations tested (33, 66, 132, 264 and 528 μl l(-1) ) suppressed the mycelial growth and conidial germination of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. For the in vivo study, 'Sekaki' papaya were exposed to lemongrass oil fumigation (0, 7, 14, 28 μl l(-1) ) for 18 h and at room temperature for 9 days. Lemongrass oil vapour at the concentration of 28 μl l(-1) was most effective against anthracnose of artificially inoculated papaya fruit while quality parameters of papaya were not significantly altered. This suggests that lemongrass oil vapour can control anthracnose disease development on papaya without affecting its natural ripening process. The potential practical application of this technology can reduce reliance on synthetic fungicides for the control of postharvest diseases in papaya.

Molecular characterisation and regulation of expression of a novel isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase 1 gene from autumn olive fruit (Elaeagnus umbellata)

SUMMARYIsopentenyl diphosphate isomerases (IPI) catalyse the interconversion of two five-carbon isoprenoid units, isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate, during the biosynthesis of a large variety of isoprenoids. Here, we report the cloning and functional validation of a novel gene (designated EutIPI1) encoding an IPI from the fruit of Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb., which produces high amounts of lycopene. The open reading frame of EutIPI1 was 705 bp in length and was interrupted by five introns. It encoded a putative polypeptide of 234 amino acids, without a variable N-terminal extension, which may be targeted to peroxisomes due to the presence of a peroxisome targeting sequence at its C-terminus. The activity of the recombinant protein was confirmed by a colour complementation assay in recombinant Escherichia coli cells. The EutIPI1 gene was highly expressed in leaves, moderately expressed in roots and in red fruit, but only weakly expressed in stems and flowers. During the natural ripening process, transcription of the EutIPI1 gene was significantly up-regulated only in dark-yellow fruit. The 484 bp promoter region of the EutIPI1 gene was isolated using PCR-based DNA-walking and contained a cis-acting salicylic acid (SA)-responsive element and a gibberellin (GA3)-responsive element. Our results showed that exogenous SA or GA3, as well as four other plant growth regulators (PGRs), including ethylene, auxin, abscisic acid, and jasmonic acid regulated expression of the EutIPI1 gene in PGR-treated yellow fruit. Lycopene accumulation was promoted by GA3 and ethylene, correlating with up-regulation of EutIPI1 gene expression. Characterisation of the EutIPI1 gene and regulation of its expression will contribute to our understanding of its function during the ripening of autumn olive fruit.

Use of Higher Ethylene Generating Fruits for Ripening as an Alternative to Ethylene

Every fruit has its own best eating quality upon natural ripening. But not all fruits are allowed to ripen on the plant. Ripe fruits cannot withstand the postharvest handling system when shipped long distance. They are likely to become soft and mealy with insipid flavour after traveling long. Climacteric fruits are often picked at the maturity stage so that they can withstand the postharvest handling hazards. Likewise to ripen them, ethylene gas is generally used. In most of the countries calcium carbide is used as a source of acetylene (alternative to ethylene) for ripening. However it has been banned in many countries including Nepal. And for those who produce organic fruits, natural ripening can bring a physico-chemical hazard during postharvest handling. Ripe climacteric fruits produce ethylene gas in amounts higher than the threshold level required to induce the ripening process of such fruits. So as a solution to the above problem, ripe fruits can be taken to ripen the mature climacteric fruits. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jfstn.v8i0.11757 J. Food Sci. Technol. Nepal, Vol. 8 (84-86), 2013

Testing fruit quality by photoacoustic spectroscopy assay

This study was conducted with the aim of testing the hypothesis that raspberry and strawberry fruits from nonorganic farming release more ethylene gas compounds compared to organic ones. At the same time, the experiments focused on evaluation of the potential and capabilities of the laser photoacoustic spectroscopy (LPAS) method in the assessment of fruit quality related to the effects of nitrogen. Ethylene gas can be harmful and carcinogenic, because it can accelerate the natural ripening process of physiologically mature fruits and makes the fruits more consistent in size.With the advantages of LPAS, we demonstrate that the concentration of ethylene from nonorganic raspberry and strawberry fruits is greater than from organic ones.

Identification of a Gene Encoding Glutamate Decarboxylase Involved in the Postharvest Fruit Ripening Process in Banana

The banana, a typical climacteric fruit, undergoes a postharvest ripening process followed by a burst in ethylene production that signals the beginning of the climacteric period. Postharvest ripening plays an important role in improving the quality of the fruit as well as limiting its shelf life. To investigate the role of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) in climacteric ethylene biosynthesis and fruit ripening in postharvest banana, a GAD gene was isolated from banana, designated MuGAD. Coincidently with climacteric ethylene production, MuGAD expression as well as the expression of the genes encoding the Musa 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase (MaACS1) and Musa 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase (MaACO1) greatly increased during natural ripening and in ethylene-treated banana. Moreover, ethylene biosynthesis, ripening progress, and MuGAD, MaACS1, and MaACO1 expression were enhanced by exogenous ethylene application and inhibited by 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). Taken together, our results suggested that MuGAD is involved in the fruit ripening process in postharvest banana.

Reducing ethylene levels along the food supply chain: a key to reducing food waste?

Excessive waste along the food supply chain of 71 (UK, Netherlands) to 82 (Germany) kg per head per year sparked widespread criticism of the agricultural food business and provides a great challenge and task for all its players and stakeholders. Origins of this food waste include private households, restaurants and canteens, as well as supermarkets, and indicate that 59-65% of this food waste can be avoided. Since ∼50% of the food waste is fruit and vegetables, monitoring and control of their natural ripening gas - ethylene - is suggested here as one possible key to reducing food waste. Ethylene accelerates ripening of climacteric fruits, and accumulation of ethylene in the supply chain can lead to fruit decay and waste. While ethylene was determined using a stationary gas chromatograph with gas cylinders, the new generation of portable sensor-based instruments now enables continuous in situ determination of ethylene along the food chain, a prerequisite to managing and maintaining the quality and ripeness of fruits and identifying hot spots of ethylene accumulation along the supply chain. Ethylene levels were measured in a first trial, along the supply chain of apple fruit from harvest to the consumer, and ranged from 10 ppb in the CA fruit store with an ethylene scrubber, 70 ppb in the fruit bin, to 500 ppb on the sorting belt in the grading facility, to ppm levels in perforated plastic bags of apples. This paper also takes into account exogenous ethylene originating from sources other than the fruit itself. Countermeasures are discussed, such as the potential of breeding for low-ethylene fruit, applications of ethylene inhibitors (e.g. 1-MCP) and absorber strips (e.g. 'It's Fresh', Ryan'), packages (e.g. 'Peakfresh'), both at the wholesale and retail level, vents and cooling for the supply chain, sale of class II produce ('Wunderlinge'), collection (rather than waste) of produce on the 'sell by' date ('Die Tafel') and whole crop purchase (WCP) to aid reducing food waste.

Effect of different levels of Sigatoka disease severity on banana pulp colour and early ripening

Bananas are usually harvested at a green preclimacteric stage prior to sale. The preclimacteric phase is called green life (GL), which is defined as the number of days between harvesting and initiation of the natural ripening process. Sigatoka disease (SD) has previously been shown to influence the postharvest behaviour of banana fruit. This work was set out to determine whether there is a relationship between the level of SD severity and the extent of the effects on banana quality as characterized by several pomological traits, especially pulp colour. In an experiment conducted with fruits harvested at a constant physiological age, our results showed that SD had a major effect on the percentage of fruit ripening in the field and on fruit weight, but not on fruit diameter. We showed too that pulp colour was greatly affected by SD; when severity increased, pulp colour parameters were modified – L* (lightness) decreased, a* (axis red to green) and b* (axis yellow to blue) increased, giving a more greyish pulp colour, with less green and more yellow and red. These results may enable the development of a method for controlling fruit quality, by measuring pulp colour in the field, in order to reduce post-harvest losses.

Effective Approaches of Potential Bioagent, Phytoextract, Fungicide and Cultural Practice for Management of Banana Fruit Rot Disease

Banana fruit rot caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Pat.) Griffth and Maubl. is an important emerging disease in South Gujarat region. It was frequently and abundantly isolated from finger rot in field and post-harvest fruit rot disease in markets as well storage house. Integrated disease management approaches would be an important for the management of post-harvest banana fruit rot disease. Four fungicides such as carbendazim and propiconazole @ 250 ppm, carbendazim 12%+mancozeb 63% @1500 ppm and mancozeb @ 2500 ppm completely inhibited the mycelial growth of L. theobromae and proved statistically superior over the rest of fungicides tested. Copper oxychloride stimulated the growth of L. theobromae. Two extracts such as garlic clove and cinnamon leaf extract at 10% concentration inhibited the mycelial growth of L. theobromae by 47.09 and 33.86% respectively. Five known bioagent tested by dual culture technique showed that Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis were strong antagonism to L. theobromae by inhibiting mycelial growth up to 75.83% and 70.50% respectively. The results of field experiment showed that single spray of carbendazim @ 0.5 gL-1 , propiconazole @1 mlL-1, garlic clove and cinnamon leaf extract @100 mlL-1 water, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis@1 × 107 CFUml-1 and bunch covered with blue polythene exhibited greater control efficacy to banana finger rot disease in field condition. The fruits harvested from treated plant kept for natural ripening, cent percent fruit rot disease control was observed in propiconazole treated fruit under storage condition up to eating ripe stage.

Determination of Maturity Parameters of Indian Mango Cultivars Based on Eating Quality during Natural Ripening

Variation in physico-chemical characteristics as total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), dry matter (DM) and eating quality viz. appearance (APR) and taste (TST) scores of nine major Indian mango cultivars were studied as a function of harvesting stage. TSS, TA and DM varied between 7.6 to 22.1°Brix, 6.31 to 0.24% and 14.84 to