Abstract:
Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is an important fruit and an excellent source of nutrients,
including vitamin C and dietary fiber. Quality characteristics of mango varieties and
related products have been studied in almost all major mango-producing countries
around the world. However, in Ethiopia, information is lacking on the quality of mango
varieties and processing conditions (thermal preservation) for the production of mango
puree. Therefore, the study was initiated to determine the effect of varieties and heating
temperature on the physicochemical, sensory evaluation, and microbial load of mango
puree in Ethiopia. The treatments consisted of four varieties of mango (Kent, Tommy Atkins,
Keitt, and Local mango) and four heating temperatures (60, 70, 80, and 90
o
C). The experiment
was laid out a completely randomized design in factorial arrangements (4x4) =16 treatments)
with triplicates. The result revealed the physical properties of the four fully ripened mango
varieties, Kent, Tommy Atkins, Keitt, and selected Local mango, were significantly differ
(p<0.05) with fruit weights of 183.82, 194.68, 242.27, and 145.22 g, peel % of 13.87, 20.15,
19.26, and 13.90, seed % of 13.08, 17.27, 14.52 and 19.52 fiber content of 4.54, 9.74, 9.28 and
20.81%, and yield % of 76.60, 69.72, 71.10 and 51.89, respectively. Heating temperature and
variety had a highly significant effect (P<0.01) on the physicochemical properties of mango
puree, and Total soluble Solid of 13.27, 12.07, 11.47, and 19.67
o
Brix, Acidity of 0.51, 0.53, 0.83,
and 0.46 g/100g, pH of 3.93, 3.17, 3.09 and 4.16 and vitamin C of 29.65, 21.41, 19.78 and 26.36
g/100g were measured for Kent, Tommy Atkins, Keitt, and Local mango varieties, respectively.
It has been observed that Kent variety contains highest vitamin C, carbohydrate
(19.24%), total sugar (13.76) and reducing sugar (4.05) when it is treated at 90
o
C in
comparison with others. And it is preferable for juice making with its high yields of mango
puree. In addition, Kent mango puree that was treated at 70
o
C was mostly preferred by the
panelists. From the total bacteria, yeast and mold growth in each treatment, the mango puree
was microbiologically safe for one and half months at room temperature storage. Finally, the
current study findings would be helpful for consumers, manufacturers, and policymakers, and
also feasible production of mango puree with the best variety has been suggested to compete
imported mango puree in Ethiopia.
Keywords: Heating temperature, Mango puree, mango varieties, quality, sensory
evaluation.