Changes in Pectic Substances and Enzymes during Ripening and Storage of “Keitt” Mangos

The relationship of the distribution of pectic substances to tissue softening was examined in ripening mangos at four stages of ripeness. Water‐soluble and alkali‐soluble pectin declined and ammonium oxalate soluble pectin increased as the mango lost its firmness and became soft. Polygalacturonase and cellulase activities of cell wall preparations increased markedly during ripening. The decline in alkali‐soluble pectin and the increase in polygalacturonase activity correlated well with the loss of firmness. Alkali‐soluble pectin declined slowly in ripe mangos stored at 4°C. This decline correlated with loss of firmness of the stored mangos. The cellulase activity of cell wall preparations from ripe mangos increased during 4°C storage and the increase correlated with the decrease in firmness.