Mango is considered one of the top three tropical fruits in the world, along with bananas and pineapples. It is sweet and fragrant, but it is sensitive to temperature, making it difficult to store. Scientists have found a way to keep mangoes fresh for up to 28 days. Until now, they could be stored for about 14 days after harvest.
Mekhala Vithana, a researcher at Edith Cowan University in Australia, said on the 16th (local time) that they found a way to keep the Kensington Pride variety of mango twice as long as before. The Kensington Pride mango is grown in northern Australia, where it receives warm sunlight. It can be made into salads or juices or eaten with yogurt or ice cream.
The Kensington Pride mango is harvested when it is slightly green. It can be stored at a maximum of 14 days at 13 degrees Celsius. Because it is a fruit grown in hot weather, it should be kept at room temperature. When the mango turns yellow and orange, it is fully ripe. If it feels soft when gently pressed, it can be eaten.
This mango is difficult to store in the refrigerator. Storing it below 12.5 degrees Celsius can cause cold injury. The fruit's skin may turn gray, or the flesh may change. This affects its marketability, leading to disposal.
The research team solved the problem with ozonated water. They quickly transported the harvested mangoes to the laboratory by vehicle, where they washed them with tap water. This removed dust and dirt from the mangoes, and they soaked them in ozonated water for 10 to 30 minutes. After evenly coating the mangoes with ozonated water, they stored them in the refrigerator at 5 degrees Celsius.
As a result, the mangoes could be kept cold for up to 28 days. Soaking time in ozonated water was most effective at 10 minutes. Mangoes treated with ozonated water had a lower risk of cold injury than those that were not. The research team noted it as a "technology for improving mango quality."
Ozonated water is made by liquefying ozone (O₃). Ozone is a gas consisting of three oxygen atoms, which has a sterilizing effect. Ozonated water is safe because it decomposes into oxygen more quickly than in gas form.
Twenty percent of mangoes produced in Australia are discarded due to shelf-life issues. The research team said, "This is economical and environmentally friendly because it can reduce food waste," and noted that "further research is needed on other mango varieties." The research results were published in the international journal "Plant Growth Regulation" on the 1st.
References
Plant Growth Regulation (2025): https://doi.org/10.1007/s10725-025-01358-8