Effect of calcium chloride application on mango fruit cv. Tommy Atkins hydrothermally treated

The aim of this work was to study the effects of the application of calcium chloride associated with hydrothermal treatment on post-harvest preservati on of mango fruit (Mangifera indica L.). The Ca absorption by mango peel an d flesh was investigated using the same conditions usually employed for the fruit exportation to the american market. It was verified that the associa tion of heat treatment to Ca application was viable. There was a positive c orrelation between the amount of Ca applied and the amount of this element presented in the peel, although low penetration toward the flesh was observ ed. It was demonstrated that Ca reduces anthracnose symptoms. It was also v erified, by observing the external appearance of the fruits, that the best results were obtained when 4% of calcium chloride was used, although such c oncentration did not guarantee the required quality for the fruit exportati on. The calcium chloride application was not effective to increase the shel f-life of the fruits.