It was evaluate the influence of the application period of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and cold storage on post harvest conservation of 'Tommy Atkins' mango fruit, harvested at maturity stage 2 (light green skin color at the top of the fruit and lightly yellowish pulp next to the seed). To study the application period, it was compared: control, application only on the beginning of refrigerated storage and application only at the end of refrigerated period. Fruits were exposed to 1.500 nL.L-1 of 1-MCP during 12 hours. The evaluations were done at 0, 7, 15, 18, 20, 21 and 22 days, being kept at refrigeration (10.6ºC ± 3.6 and 84% RH ± 7) until the fifteenth day, when they were transferred to ambient temperature (24.4ºC ± 2.9 and 42% RH ± 11). The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 3x7 (time of 1-MCP application x time of storage) factorial arrangement, with four replications. The increase on chroma and the reduction on Hue angle of skin were more gradual on fruits treated with 1-MCP at the end of refrigeration. The application on the beginning of refrigeration delayed temporarily the decrease on titratable acidity. The pulp softening was slower on fruits treated with 1-MCP until the sixth day after the transfer from storage chamber, independent to the application period. However, these differences were not yet recognized at 22 days. Equivalence occurred between both application periods, the option for treatment on beginning of the refrigeration storage results on reduced interference on the post harvest operations executed.
ripening; pulp firmness; ethylene inhibitors; storage life
