A qualitative analysis of mango (<em>Mangifera indica</em> L.) latex and anatomy of latex canals

Abstract

Mango latex is important in the mango industry due to its antimicrobial properties and the burn it causes on the harvested fruits. The present study is a qualitative investigation of the composition of mango latex, the variation in latex volumes among three selected local mango cultivars and the anatomy of fruit pedicel and peel that contain the latex canal system. According to the biochemical tests, the aqueous phase of mango latex contained moderate amounts of carbohydrates and reducing sugars which are disaccharides. Starch and keto-sugars were absent. Small amounts of phenols and proteins were present but not amino acids. Gallotannin antifungal compounds were absent in mango latex while resorcinols were present mostly in the non-aqueous phase of mango latex. The latex canal diameters were larger in a transvers section at and below the abscission zone of fruit pedicel closer to the fruit when compared to that further from the fruit. Cultivars such as 'Karutha colomban' and 'Rata' more resistant to anthracnose contained higher volumes of the non-aqueous phase of mango latex reported to contain antifungal resorcinols while anthracnose susceptible 'Willard' contains less of the non-aqueous phase and more of the aqueous phase of latex.

Robotic Heat Treatments for Mango and Prickly Pear Increase Shelf Life and Reduce Pathogen Infection

“…Large latex channel openings were seen at and below the abscission zone close to the fruit. High volume of latex spurts out through these channels after detaching the pedicel from the fruit [82]. Latex canals are seen as large perforations in the fruit peel reaching the outer pulp [34,82].…”

“…High volume of latex spurts out through these channels after detaching the pedicel from the fruit [82]. Latex canals are seen as large perforations in the fruit peel reaching the outer pulp [34,82]. After cutting the Keitt mango pedicel 2 cm away from the abscission zone, it was cauterized at 35°C, showing latex channels (Figure 4a).…”

A detergent for mango fruit sap-induced injury

“…Karunanayake, 34 Krishnapillai and Wijeratham, 16 and Saby John et al 35 indicated that mango sap is highly acidic in nature with a pH of 4.3and therefore injures/ scorches the fruit skin/peel when in contact, thus rendering the fruit unappealing/unsightly. According to Barman et al, 21 the onset and severity of mango sap burn injury increased up to ripening during storage at ambient temperatures.…”

Mangifera indica as propolis source: what exactly do bees collect?

“…The resin has been found to contain triterpenes, mainly cycloartanes [ 13 ], and cardols have also been reported [ 4 ]. The latex, on the other hand, contains monoterpenes with typical raw mango aroma [ 16 , 17 ], cardols [ 18 – 20 ], carbohydrates, and small amounts of proteins [ 21 , 22 ]. No triterpenes have been detected in latex, although several detailed studies have been carried out.…”