Mango Cold Storage Preservation Technology: The Longest Storage Method for Mangoes

Mangoes, known as the “King of Tropical Fruits,” thrive in tropical and subtropical regions. However, their harvest season coincides with the hot and humid summer months, making storage and transportation significant challenges for farmers. As a climacteric fruit, mangoes are highly sensitive to storage conditions: high temperatures and humidity can cause spoilage, low temperatures may lead to cold damage, and airtight environments can accelerate decay. This article introduces mango cold storage preservation technology—the most effective method for long-term mango storage.

Steps for Mango Cold Storage Preservation

1.Selection and Cleaning

• Harvest undamaged, high-quality mangoes.
• Rinse the fruits to remove sap residue from the stems.
• Soak the mangoes in a benomyl solution for 50 minutes, then air-dry thoroughly before packaging.

2.Packaging

• Wrap each mango individually in breathable mesh bags.
• Place them gently in cartons lined with dry grass, with each box weighing approximately 20 kg.
• Store the packaged mangoes in a well-ventilated area at 20°C for 1-2 days to pre-cool.

3.Cold Storage Process

• Transfer the mangoes to a cold storage facility set at 15°C for 1-2 days.
• Finally, move them to a long-term storage environment with a temperature of 10-12°C and relative humidity of 85%-90%.

Controlled Atmosphere (CA) Storage for Mangoes

For extended preservation, Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage is highly recommended. The ideal conditions for mango CA storage are:

• Temperature: 12.8°C
• Relative Humidity: 85%-90%
• Oxygen Level: 3%-5%
• Carbon Dioxide Level: 3%-6%

These parameters significantly slow down the ripening process and reduce spoilage.

Key Technique: Gradual Temperature Adjustment

Since freshly harvested mangoes often have a pulp temperature of around 30°C, directly placing them in low-temperature storage (below 9°C) can cause grayish discoloration of the skin and disrupt the ripening process. To avoid this, follow a gradual cooling approach:

1.First Stage: Adjust the cold storage temperature to 20°C for 1-2 days.

2.Second Stage: Lower the temperature to 15°C for another 1-2 days.

3.Final Stage: Maintain the temperature at 12.8°C for long-term storage.

This method can extend the shelf life of mangoes by up to 1 month while preserving their flavor, texture, and nutritional value.