Effect of Plant Based Preservatives on Shelf Life and Quality of Mango Fruits (Mangifera indica) During Storage

Mango is one of the main fruits grown in Chad. However, it is prone to high post-harvest losses due to lack of adequate distribution networks, appropriate harvesting and conservation methods. The objective of this study was to test the effectiveness of coatings based on extracts of Allium sativum (garlic), Zingiber officinale (ginger) and Spirulina platensis (spirulina) on their conservation. Shelf life, weight loss, firmness, pH and total soluble solids content of mangoes were evaluated. The coated mangoes had excellent brillance compared to control mangoes. The coatings based on the extracts of A. sativum, S. platensis and Z. officinale increased respectively the means shelf life of mangoes to 18, 19 and 24 days. Weight losses were 21% for control mangoes while they were 13% for mangoes coated using mixture containing extracts of A. sativum and S. platensis and 11% for mangoes coated with Z. officinale. Coatings based on extracts of Z. officinale and S. platensis had statistically comparable effects on the firmness of mangoes but significantly higher than those of A. sativum extracts and controls after the 10th day. pH values and total soluble solids content (TSSC) values of control mangoes were significantly higher than those of coated mangoes. On day 10 after treatment, chlorophylls were absent from the peel of control mangoes whereas they were still present in the peel of coated mangoes. The mangoes coated with extract of Z. officinale reached a shelf life of 24 days. This shelf life was significantly higher than that of mangoes coated with other types of extracts and control mangoes. The coating with Z. officinale extract slowed considerably the ripening of mangoes. It can be recommended for conservation of mangoes in fresh.