Effect of spraying of essential oils and passive modified atmosphere packaging on selected postharvest quality parameters and stem-end rot development in <em>Mangifera indica<em> (cultivar <em>Karthakolomban</em>)

Mangifera indica L. (cultivar Karthakolomban) is more prone to stem-end rot (SER) disease that causes substantial postharvest losses in quality as well as quantity. The objective of this study was to use aqueous emulsions of basil (1.6 μL/mL), clove (2.0 μL/mL), cinnamon leaf (2.0 μL/mL) and cinnamon bark (1.6 μL/mL) oils as sprays with passive modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) in low density polyethylene (LDPE) bags as a bio-safe strategy to control SER of ‘Karthakolomban’ mango stored at 12 – 14 °C and 85 – 90% of relative humidity. Distilled water and 0.1% (w/v) carbendazim 50WP treatments were used as negative and positive controls respectively. In-package respiratory gases were measured during storage for 8 days. Pathological, physicochemical, sensory properties and peel color of mango were assessed after ripening fruits at the end of the storage period. All essential oil treatments combined with passive MAP significantly reduced SER severity of mango more than 93% when compared to the negative control without adversely affecting peel colour and some physicochemical properties like total soluble solids and firmness. Mango fruits treated with basil, clove and cinnamon leaf oils obtained a higher preference by the sensory panel than other treatments. Inpackage O2 concentration was at 3.8 – 5.8%, while CO2 was at 4.3 – 5.0% at the end of the 8-day storage period. Respiratory gas levels attained a steady state equilibrium which resulted in extending the shelf life. Further, T1, T2 and T3 treatments can be commercialized as eco-friendly treatment strategies to be used during transportation and storage of mango in local trade within one week and for exportation via air cargo that takes approximately 2 – 3 days.