The quality of mangoes cv Tommy Atkins enclosed in plastic films and stored under refrigerated conditions were evaluated. Mangoes from the 2000 crop harvested at the Fazenda Paulicéia Empreendimentos Ltda., located in the Mossoró-Assu Agropole were used as experimental unity. The fruits were harvested in stage 2 ( 7º brix and 75% green, 25% red) and selected for the type 12 (12 fruits/box), then treated with fungicide to prevent rots. The fruits were submited to the following treatments in the laboratory: 1 - no enclosure (control); 2 - fruits enclosed with individual Polyvinyl chloride film PVC; 3 - enclosed in bag of High Density Polyethylene film - HDPF; 4 - inclosed in bag of Low Density Polyethylene Film - LDPF. Then stored for 42 days under refrigerated condition (11 ± 1°C; 85-90% RH). Fruits storage under refrigeration associated with plastic film-modified atmosphere had their fresh matter loss reduced and kept soluble solid and soluble sugar content, unchanged. The plastic film-modified atmosphere reduced pulp firmness loss, which provided for the fruits a shelf life of 42 days. Up to the end of the storage period, HDPE-modified atmosphere under refrigeration promoted skin color development, while PVC and LDPE kept fruit color unchanged.
refrigeration; Mangifera indica L.; postharvest quality
