RESUMO
India is renowned for its mango diversity, with more than 1000 genotypes reported. However, the Himalayan plains bear some elite genotypes which supposed to bear high postharvest value, the systemic postharvest study of which is yet to be attempted. The aim of present study is to evaluate the postharvest quality and ripening behviour of these important genotypes. Thus, 15 un-explored mango genotypes of this region were selected and evaluated for ripening behaviour and detailed postharvest profiling via internal (total phenolic and total flavonoid content), nutritional attributes (Brix: acid ratio, total carotenoid concentration, ascorbic acid content and antioxidant activity), sensory evaluation, fruit softening enzymes (polygalactouronase, pectin methylesterase and lipoxygenase), shelf life attributes (respiration rate, physiological loss in weight and storage life in days) external attributes (fruit weight, fruit firmness, peel thickness, fruit shape and dry seed weight) and mineral contents (Calcium, potassium and phosphorous) under ambient storage (25 ± 4 °C and 65 ± 5 % RH). The results revealed that the highest total flavonoid content (682.40 µg g-1), ascorbic acid (46.88 mg 100 g-1) and antioxidant activity (4.84 µmol TE g-1) exhibited by 'Sukul'. The total phenolic content was recorded as the highest in 'Safed Malda' (510.42 µg GAE g-1 FW), and total carotenoid concentration was recorded as the highest in 'Sipiya' (7.30 mg 100 g-1) 'Zardalu' (7.04 mg 100 g-1) and 'Mithua' (6.98 mg 100 g-1). Interestingly, genotypes such as 'Sukul', Sipiya' and 'Krishna Bhog 'exhibited a 4-5 days higher storage life than other selected genotypes. Screened genotypes exhibited a high diversity of nutritional and biochemical contents. The results of this study bear practical utility for research (quality improvement programme) and the processing industry.
RESUMO
Twenty mango genotypes grown in the plains of the Himalayas were characterized by their physical, physiological, biochemical, mineral and organoleptic attributes: fruit firmness, weight, peel thickness, shape, dry seed weight, respiration rate, weight loss, and shelf life. Biochemical attributes such as soluble solids, total carotenoids, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid and total sugars were also determined. In addition, mineral content and fruit-softening enzymes were measured, and an organoleptic evaluation was performed. Polygalactouronase (PG), pectin methylesterase (PME) and lipoxygenase (LOX) were measured from the pulp adjacent to the peel. Similarly, biochemical attributes and mineral content were evaluated using fruit pulp, while organoleptic evaluation included fruit pulp characters and the fruit's external appearance. The results of the study showed that the 'Malda' genotype exhibited the highest total phenolic content (560.60 µg/100 g), total antioxidant (5.79 µmol TE/g), and titratable acidity (0.37%) among the tested genotypes. 'Amrapali' had the highest soluble solid content (25.20 °B), 'Jawahar' had the highest ascorbic acid content (44.20 mg/100 g pulp), 'Mallika' had the highest total flavonoid content (700.00 µg/g) and 'Amrapali' had the highest total carotenoid content (9.10 mg/100 g). Moreover, the genotypes 'Malda', 'Safed Malda'and 'Suvarnarekha' had a shelf life of 4-5 days longer than other tested genotypes. The genotypes with high biochemical attributes have practical utility for researchers for quality improvement programmes and processing industries as functional ingredients in industrial products. This study provides valuable information on the nutritional and functional properties of different mango genotypes, which can aid in developing improved varieties with enhanced health benefits and greater practical utility for processing industries.