Modified atmosphere and modified humidity packaging alleviates chilling injury symptoms in mango fruit

Storage of mango (Mangifera indica L. cvs. Tommy Atkins and Keitt) fruits a t 12 degrees C caused slight chilling injury (CI) symptoms on the fruit per il expressed as red spots around the lenticels (lenticel spotting). A modif ied atmosphere (similar to 5% CO2 and similar to 10% O-2) was created in 4- kg film-lined cartons by using microperforated polyethylene (PE) or Xtend(R ) film (XF). For 'Keitt' fruit, a similar atmosphere was also applied using controlled atmosphere chambers. After 3 weeks of storage at 12 degrees C p lus 1 week at 20 degrees C, both modified and controlled atmosphere treatme nts were effective in reducing CI. The most effective reduction was found i n fruits that were packed in the XF film. A second advantage of using XF hi m was the reduction in the level of sap inside the package due to the lower relative humidity in the XF film (similar to 90%) compared with that of PE packaging (similar to 99%). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights rese rved.