Abstract BACKGROUND Black flesh (BF) is an internal disorder in mango, characterized by the development of dark brown to black pigmentation in the inner mesocarp tissue during storage or transport. This study investigated the effects of harvest maturity, low storage or low transport temperatures, and 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) on mango fruit susceptibility to BF. In the first experiment, ‘Tommy Atkins’, ‘Kent’, and ‘Palmer’ mangoes were harvested at two maturity stages and BF incidence was assessed after 30 days’ storage at 8, 10, or 12.5 °C plus 7 days of shelf life at 20 °C. In the second experiment, ‘Tommy Atkins’ and ‘Keitt’ mangoes were also treated at harvest with the ethylene action inhibitor 1‐MCP (0–800 nL L −1 ) and stored at 9 °C for 45 days, followed by 7 days of shelf life at 20 °C. The most effective 1‐MCP treatment concentration (200 nL L −1 ) was then validated on mangoes for reduction of BF incidence and severity. RESULTS The incidence of BF increased with early harvest and lower storage temperatures (≤10 °C), but it was not observed at 12.5 °C. 1‐Methylcyclopropene at 200 nL L −1 markedly reduced the incidence and severity of BF, while suppressing respiration and ethylene production. This concentration also maintained flesh firmness and antioxidant capacity, performing in a similar way to higher concentrations. CONCLUSION Early harvest and low storage temperature increased the incidence of BF whereas 1‐MCP treatment reduced it. © 2026 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Pires et al. (Sun,) studied this question.