- DatesSeptember 2020 – September 2023
- SponsorOrchard House Foods and SWAGºÏ¼¯
SWAGºÏ¼¯ and Orchard House Foods have joint efforts to predict mango ripening behaviour through the understanding of the progression of ripening events in different cultivars. This will be achieved by elucidating the mechanisms underlying the differential ripening patterns between ‘Kent’ and ‘Keitt’ cultivars, and evaluating the potential use of non-destructive techniques to predict ripening through the supply chain.
The aim of this project will be achieved through the following objectives:
- To investigate the biochemical processes, and elucidate the differential molecular mechanisms, that control ripening patterns in ‘Keitt’ and ‘Kent’ mangoes.
- To evaluate the potential for near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and Laser Doppler Vibrometry (LDV) coupled with chemometrics to classify ‘Kent’ and ‘Keitt’ mangoes into different ripening stages.
- The best non-destructive technique (NIRS or LDV) will be selected (based on year 1) and ripening prediction models (e.g., PSL-DA, Random Forest) will be developed based on the selected biomarkers from first objective.
The knowledge gained will allow the industry to adopt informed and targeted postharvest management practices to improve ready-to-eat mango quality and reduce waste.