ALL ABOUT RIPENING

Early season mangoes may take longer to ripen than middle-to-late season ones.

Store and ship mature green mangoes at temperatures of about 55°F / 13°C.

Before ripening begins, the fruit pulp temperatures should be raised to 68 to 72°F (20 to 22°C).

Once the fruit pulp temperature stabilizes, apply 100 ppm ethylene for a minimum of 24 hours. Actual time of exposure to ethylene is determined by the maturity of the fruit; a slight change in fruit color indicates that the mangoes are producing ethylene and the external ethylene source is no longer needed. 

Humidity is very important and it should be maintained at 90-95%.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) will build up during ripening. If no automatic ventilation system is in place, then be sure to vent the room approximately every 12 hours by opening the doors for 20 minutes even while applying ethylene. The actual CO2 level must be kept below 1% for proper ripening.

After ethylene application, keep pulp temperature at 65 to 72°F (18 to 22°C) until desired level of ripeness is attained (typically 5 – 9 days). Then store ripened mangoes at 50 to 55°F (10 to 13°C) in a high humidity environment for up to one week.