Efficacy of plant-based extracts on post-harvest quality of stored mango fruits (Mangifera indica l.) in Makurdi, Nigeria

Efficacy of plant-based extracts on shelf life and postharvest quality of stored mango fruits was carried out. The experiment was laid out in a CRD with a 2 x 3 factorial experiment replicated 3 times. Healthy mango fruits of two varieties (Julie and Mabrouka) were harvested at harvest maturity and treated by immersing into three treatments Aloe vera gel, Aloe vera bark and a control. The fruits allowed to stay until the fruits were completely coated with the extracts, the stored at ambient temperature. Data obtained from the study was subjected to ANOVA, means were separated using (F-LSD) at 5% level of probability. The study results showed that plant-based extracts had significantly higher (≤0.05) effects on Weight Change, Total Soluble Solids (TSS) (°Brix), Firmness (N/cm), Lycopene (mg/100g), pH, Titratable Acidity (TA) (%), Decay Percentage (%) and Shelf-Life of stored mango fruits as compared to the control. There was no significant difference (≥0.05) in the interaction effect of variety and plant-based on postharvest weight change of fruits at 1 and 3WAS but significant effect was recorded on 0, 2 and 4WAS. TSS of fruits steadily increased in storage, however, the main effect of plant-based extracts as well as the interaction effect of variety and plant-based extracts on the TSS of mango fruits during storage was not significant only on OWAS. At the end of the storage Julie treated with Aloe vera gel (24.70) (°Brix), recorded the highest TSS. At the end of the storage, decay percentage of the untreated fruits was (18.78%), while fruits treated with Aloe vera extract (5.00%) and bark of Aloe vera (15.00%). These botanicals are environmentally friendly, cost effective, easy to produce and safe for consumers. Bio-based extracts of Aloe vera gel and Bark are recommended in the storage of flesh mango fruits.