As mentioned previously, the initiation of ripening in mangoes can be delayed by
changing the composition of the storage atmosphere so that the oxygen (O 2 ) level
is reduced and the carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) level is raised by using modifi ed (MA)
or controlled atmospheres (CA). Long-term marine shipping in MA and CA has
been used for transit from several countries (Yahia, 1993; 1994; 1997; 1998b;
2008). Research results are very contradictory due to the different cultivars and
maturity stages of mangoes used, different atmospheres implemented, and lack of
experimental controls. Optimum conditions for prolonged shipping or storage are
reported to be 3–5 kPa O 2 and 5–10 kPa CO 2 , which can delay ripening, but the
benefi ts are not very signifi cant (Yahia, 1998b). Use of CA and MA would most
likely be benefi cial in delaying fruit ripening during marine transport for 2 weeks
or more.