Feasibility of Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) Plus Ethylene Scrubbing for Extended International Shipping of Mangos

The feasibility of incorporating modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) technology with or without ethylene scrubbing into existing mango handling systems was evaluated as a way to allow shipment of fully mature (tree-ripe) fruit from South America to the United States in order to improve the quality of mangos available to U.S. consumers. In preliminary research, the optimum atmospheres (low O2; high CO2) for slowing ‘Tommy Atkins’, ‘Kent’ and ‘Keitt’ mango ripening were determined using controlled atmosphere (CA) treatments. We then replicated the CA lab tests using BreathewayTM (BW) MAP with and without It’s FreshTM (IF) ethylene scrubbers that had been custom designed for us by the companies based on the results of the CA experiments. In November 2022, we conducted two simultaneous shipping trials from Brazil using ‘Tommy Atkins’ and ‘Kent’ mangos. The mangos were shipped by ocean from Brazil to New Jersey, then by refrigerated truck to the University of Florida Postharvest Lab in Gainesville, all at 9 °C/48 °F for a total of 28 days, followed by a 4-day shelf life period at 20 °C/68 °F, to evaluate a 4.5-kg carton-scale BW MAP +/– IF in commercial conditions. A third shipping trial with ‘Kent’ mangos from Peru to California was conducted in February 2023, with evaluations conducted in California by Hazel Technologies (Breatheway’s parent company). The preliminary research established that tree-ripe mangos (Stage 3.5–4) can be stored as low as 7 °C/45 °F for 4 weeks without showing chilling injury symptoms or deterioration of fruit internal quality when held in minimum 4% O2 + 5 to 10% CO2 (‘Kent’ and Keitt’) or minimum 6% O2 + 5 to 10% CO2 (‘Tommy Atkins’). The shipping test results indicate that MAP with IF slowed ripening-related softening, color changes, and losses of sugars and acids, while sensory panelists rated the treated fruit as sweeter, less acidic, and with an overall higher eating quality than the untreated controls, which were overripe. Overall, our results lead us to recommend MAP plus ethylene scrubbing for long distance (4-week) shipping if the goal is to export/import tree-ripe mangos. A pallet-scale MAP that is available would facilitate better temperature management by allowing the packed fruit to be pre-cooled before application of the MAP plus ethylene scrubbers, promising even better results.