abstract
Frozen mango is texturally damaged due to formation of ice crystals during freezing preservation. The
objective of this investigationwas to use partially ripe mango as an alternative for ripe mango. Based on its
stronger structure, partially ripe mango could better withstand texturedamage by ice crystals. Its flavor and
color could be enhanced by impregnation of mango juice and sugars (natural flavor) into the mango matrix.
This investigation found that calcium carbide incubation for two days helped prepare the mango at
a partially ripe state. Vacuum infusion was more effective than natural mass diffusion in incorporation of
mango juiceesugar mixture (shorter soaking time (e10 min at 74.66 kPa) and better mango quality (texture,
solid content and color sensory scorese7e8 in a traditional 9-point hedonic scale). After freezing (air-blast,
jet-impingement and cryogenic freezing) and thawing, the juice/sugareinfused mangoes were high in
sensory scores (7e8) and low in drip loss (9e12 g/100g) values. They better tolerated freezing damage than
did ripe mango. This proposed method can help reduce the post-harvest losses arising from the faster
spoilage of more ripe mangoes. It enhances natural flavor and taste of the partially forced ripeningmangoes
which normally impart only color.