Effects of postharvest ripening on the nutraceutical and physicochemical properties of mango (Mangifera indica L. cv Keitt)

Nutraceutical quality of fruits can be influenced by the stage of ripening. The present project objective was to evaluate physicochemical changes of mango cv. Keitt that included total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), firmness and color, concentration of total phenolics (TPC), ascorbic acid (AA), antioxidant capacity (ORAC value), carotenoids, and total dietary fiber (TDF) at 6 postharvest ripening-stages (RS1-6). Results indicated a decrease in firmness from 62 to 0.69 N, while TSS increased from 9 to 17% and TA decreased. Mango TPC increased by 54% at RS2 and at RS3 returned to the original levels. It was found that AA increased by 133% at RS2 and at RS6 showed the lowest value. A correlation between TPC and ORAC value (R-2=0.88) was found. Regarding carotenoids content, there were no significant differences from RS1 to RS4, but at RS6 carotenoids increased 49% in contrast with RS1. Furthermore, TDF increased at RS2 and remained with slightly differences from RS2 to RS5. At RS6, TDF diminished 13% as compared to RS1. Results permitted the visualization of optimum ripening-stages (RS2 and RS6) that contained the highest concentration of specific bio-active compounds in order to produce high-quality products and improve health-benefits. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.