A Study on the Post-Harvest Management of Mango Fruit (Mangifera indica L.) Based on the Influences of Polyamines, Especially Spermidine and Putrescine

Abstract

Several postharvest technologies, including low-temperature storage and modified atmosphere packaging, have been used to delay ripening, but their high cost and technical limitations restrict their large-scale use. Considering these challenges, the present study, entitled “A study on the post-harvest management of mango fruit (Mangifera indica L.) based on the influences of polyamines, especially spermidine and putrescine” was conducted at the Horticulture Laboratory, P.G. Department of Agriculture, Khalsa College, Amritsar, Punjab, India, during the year 2024–25. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of polyamine treatments on the shelf life and quality of mango cv. Amrapali under cold storage conditions. Physiologically mature and uniform fruits were dipped for five minutes in aqueous solutions of spermidine and putrescine at concentrations of 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 mM, while fruits dipped in distilled water served as the control. The treated fruits were stored at 12°C with 85–90% relative humidity for a period of 30 days. Observations were recorded at 0, 10, 20, and 30 days of storage on various physical and biochemical parameters. The results revealed that polyamine treatments significantly delayed ripening and senescence by reducing physiological weight loss, spoilage, and loss of firmness compared with untreated fruits. Among the treatments, spermidine at 2.0 mM was found to be the most effective. Biochemical attributes such as total soluble solids, total sugars, reducing sugars, and carotenoid content increased progressively during storage. However, non-reducing sugars increased up to 20 days of storage and declined slightly thereafter, while titratable acidity and ascorbic acid content decreased continuously. These biochemical changes were effectively moderated by polyamine treatments. It was concluded that spermidine at 2.0 mM is the most effective treatment for extending storage life and maintaining the physico-biochemical quality of mango cv. Amrapali under cold storage conditions.