Abstract:
The effects of maturity stage, oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration on the quality of mangosteen fruit were studied by separated into 3 experiments. The first experiment, fruit were harvested at stage 2 and 4 of maturity and then stored at 13 and 20?C 90% RH. The result found that colour changes of calyx and pericarp, firmness, and wcight loss werc delayed in fruit stored at 13?C when compared with 20?C and mangosteen stage 2 showed better qualities than stage 4. The second experiment, mangosteen (stage 2 and 4) were stored under 2 or 6% 0, atmosphere. 2% 0, showed better quality than 6% 0, by reduction in weight loss, firmness including respiration and ethylene production rate. There were no significant differences in total soluble solids and titratable acid. The last experiment, fruit harvested at stage 2 were treated with 2%0, combined with CO, at 3, 5, 10 and 15%. It was found that 2%0,+ 3%C02 and 2%0,+ 5%C02 had the most desirable because this controlled atmosphere conditions maintained the calyx and pericarp colour. Ethylene production in mangosteen stored under 2%02+ 3%CO, was lower than other treatments. In addition, separated calyx stored under 2%0,+ 3%CO, and 2%0,+ 5%CO, conditions showed higher weight loss than those fruit with out ca!yx. However, the combination of 0, and CO, gave better total quality than only 0, in controlled atmosphere storage.